Paul Goldberger
For the eleventh episode of the ‘Building the Future’ series, leading American architectural critic Paul Goldberger, recounts how Norman Foster seems “always to have been a presence” in the global architectural scene, and how in recent years his presence has been increasingly felt in the United States.
Robert A.M. Stern
In the twelfth episode of the ‘Building the Future’ series, we join architect, academic and author, Robert A.M. Stern, Founding Partner of Robert A.M. Stern Architects, who remembers his period as a student at Yale University. At a time when the university did not have a sizable international intake, Stern recalls that Norman Foster arrived with a sudden influx of English students; “the British invasion before The Beatles”.
Peter Murray
For the thirteenth episode of the ‘Building the Future’ series, distinguished architectural writer Peter Murray recalls first meeting Norman Foster in 1969. At that time, work was underway on commissions from Fred Olsen for Millwall Docks, London. Murray notes that when published, two aspects of these projects stood out; Norman Foster’s ability to encapsulate an entire project with a sketch and the innovative social dimension within the design.
Lord Peter Palumbo
In this episode of the ‘Building the Future’ series, we meet property developer and art collector, Lord Peter Palumbo. A former Chairman of the Arts Council of Great Britain, he speaks of his admiration for Norman Foster whose most famous early buildings came as ‘a revelation’ in a country which frequently takes a long time to acknowledge its own artists.
Sara Fox
In this episode of ‘Building the Future’, Sara Fox, Principal at Fox&Co Consulting, recounts her collaboration with Norman Foster for 30 St Mary Axe, London. As New Buildings Director for Swiss Re, Fox was drawn to Foster’s “uncanny ability” to notice the smallest detail which needed revision, and a team she was “exceeding lucky” to work with in realising the client’s requirements.
Farshid Moussavi
For the sixteenth episode of our ‘Building the Future’ series, British Architect Farshid Moussavi, founder of Farshid Moussavi Architecture, narrates how she came to encounter Norman Foster through his work and his renown as the studio had just completed the Renault Factory.
Lord Jacob Rothschild
For the seventeeth episode of our ‘Building the Future’ series, we join an eminent acquaintance of Norman Foster, Lord Jacob Rothschild. Their first encounter was more than forty years ago and, with a longstanding interest in architecture, Lord Rothschild draws attention to the consistent high quality, the responsiveness to technology and the understanding of urbanism, which combine to make Norman Foster’s output “a miracle of an achievement”.
Peter Eisenman
For the eighteenth episode of our ‘Building the Future’ series, Peter Eisenman, founder and principal of Eisenman Architects, recalls first encountering Norman Foster, and shares his thoughts on current and future challenges facing architecture, and how these can be overcome successfully.
Kenneth Frampton
For the nineteenth episode of our ‘Building the Future’ series, we join Kenneth Frampton, Ware Professor of Architecture at Columbia University, New York, and a leading writer on twentieth-century Modernism. He recounts first meeting Norman Foster during the early 1960s and, for Frampton, the designs of Norman Foster’s studio exemplify a ‘rational objectivity’, comparable to the works of Mies van der Rohe.
Frank A. Bennack
In the twentieth episode of the ‘Building the Future’ series, Frank A. Bennack Jr., Executive Vice Chairman and former C.E.O. of Hearst, shares his experience of overseeing the construction of Hearst Tower. The company wanted “the very best”, and Bennack travelled to London to discuss the project with Norman Foster. Aware of his reputation, Bennack decided that Foster “was the right person for us”.