David Chipperfield
In this episode of the ‘Inside the Archive’ series, English Architect Sir David Chipperfield relives his time with Foster Associates. As he started working with Richard Rogers and Birkin Haward for competitions, the architect continued his impactful work with the group through projects such as the HSBC building and the BBC Radio Centre. After exploring the question of technology, Chipperfield is led to recall his experience of the Willis Faber & Dumas Headquarters.
Graham Phillips
In this episode of the ‘Inside the Archive’ series, Architect Graham Phillips recalls anecdotes of his first encounter with Norman Foster as he started to work with the practice. Phillips then reexamined the Sainsbury Centre project, considering Sir Robert Sainsbury’s appreciation of the project and the qualities of the building’s design. Graham Phillips concludes with the production of the HSBC building in a pre-computer era, raising the question of the role of technology in architectural progress.
Grant Brooker
In this episode of the ‘Inside the Archive’ series, Grant Brooker, a Senior Executive Partner at Foster + Partners, looks back upon his time with the studio. He joined one of the teams preparing a masterplan for King’s Cross, working through never-ending hours in search of perfection and developing intuition as part of his work.
Narinder Sagoo
For the twenty-fourth episode of our ‘Inside the Archive’ series Narrinder Sagoo, Art Director and Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, speaks of the chance encounter that launched his career with Norman Foster. As a young student, Sagoo attended a talk given by one of the practice’s directors. Plucking up the courage to ask whether any openings were available, he was eventually offered a position at Riverside.
Armstrong Yakubu
For our next ‘Inside the Archive’ interview, Senior Partner and Design Board member, Armstrong Yakubu recalls his first encounter with Norman Foster’s work as a student at the Architectural Association, London. Under the tutelage of Ron Herron and Jan Kaplicky, Yakubu was inspired to apply to Foster Associates. He successfully got an interview and has been at the practice ever since.
Gerard Evenden
For our next ‘Inside the Archive’ interview Gerard Evenden, Senior Partner and Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, recounts how his first, temporary role with the practice became more permanent against the backdrop of ‘big economic downturn’. Evenden highlights the role of team members as they worked together and formed strong professional bonds through the shared experience of lengthy projects.
John Small
For the twenty-seventh episode of our ‘Inside the Archive’ series, John Small, Director of Industrial Design at EMEA, Steelcase, takes us back to 1985, when as a graduate he was awaiting an interview with Norman Foster. Although Small had already been offered a position with a different company, the experience led him to decide that he would rather work at Foster Associates than any other practice.
Michael Jones
In the twenty-eighth episode of our ‘Inside the Archive’ series, we join Senior Partner of Foster + Partners, Michael Jones, who looks back to 1986 when he applied to join the “top three practices in Britain”. Though offered places with all three, Jones was drawn to Foster Associates as this firm displayed the design philosophy and aesthetic he admired and wished to learn more about.
Mouzhan Majidi
For this episode of our ‘Inside the Archive’ series, we join the Chief Executive of Zaha Hadid Architects, Mouzhan Majidi. A former Chief Executive at Foster + Partners, Majidi recalls his first impressions of meeting Norman Foster in 1986. Then a young graduate from Scotland, the following year Majidi joined Foster Associates at their celebrated premises in Great Portland Street, London.
Russell Hales
In this episode of the ‘Inside the Archive’ series, Russell Hales, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, looks back at his fresh out-of-school experience when joining the studio team in a very hands-on practice professional experience.