Quick Info
| Profession | Architect |
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| Nationality | British |
| Date of Birth | 01/06/1935 |
| Age | 90 years |
| Birthplace | Manchester, England |
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Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Norman Robert Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank |
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| Description | English architect closely associated with the development of high-tech architecture and a key figure in British modernist architecture. Known for sleek modern buildings made of steel and glass that have become landmarks in the world's great cities. |
| Notable Works |
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Educational Qualification(s)
| School of Architecture and City Planning | University of Manchester (graduated 1961) |
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| Master's Degree | Architecture, Yale University (Henry Fellowship recipient) |
Personal Life
| Hobbies |
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Relationships & More
| Collaboration | Worked with Apple Computer founder Steve Jobs on Apple Park design (2009-2017) |
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| Space Exploration | Collaborating with NASA and the European Space Agency to explore solutions for building habitable spaces on the Moon and Mars |
Family
| First wife: Wendy Foster (died 1989) | |
| Four sons |
Career
| Founder | Foster + Partners (established 1967 in London as Foster Associates) |
|---|---|
| Position | Founder and Executive Chairman |
| Practice Scope | Global studio for architecture, urbanism and design with offices in over 20 countries. Specializes in urban master plans, public infrastructure, airports, civic and cultural buildings, offices, workplaces, private houses, and product design. |
| Philosophy | Sustainable approach to the design of the built environment; believes quality of surroundings affects quality of life; driven by passion for innovation and excellence. |
| Awards |
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| Additional Role | President of the Norman Foster Foundation, based in Madrid, supporting young architects, designers, and urbanists |
Style Quotient
| Architectural Style | High-tech architecture, modernism |
|---|---|
| Known For | Fascination with airports and flight; sleek creations in steel and glass; technologically advanced 'shed' structures with lightweight shells or envelopes |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Born to working-class parents in humble circumstances | |
| 2. Worked his way through university as a baker, nightclub bouncer, and ice cream salesman | |
| 3. Initially a school dropout before gaining admission to University of Manchester at age 21 | |
| 4. Continued work on Apple Park after Steve Jobs' death in 2011; project opened in 2017 | |
| 5. Experienced personal hardship including the death of his first wife Wendy in 1989 and health challenges (cancer and heart attack) in the early 2000s | |
| 6. Widely believed to be the world's richest architect with a net worth running into the hundreds of millions | |
| 7. Reportedly meets regularly with the King |