Foster and Partners

History

The firm was established by Norman Foster in 1967, shortly after leaving his first studio, Team 4. The firm was originally called Foster Associates before becoming Sir Norman Foster and Partners in 1992, then Foster & Partners in 1999, and finally Foster + Partners in 2006.

The firm was chosen by Robert Sainsbury to design the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, which was completed in 1978. Located at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, the 500 foot-long steel structure was designed to house the Sainsbury’s art collection, and was the firm’s first public building.

In 1979, Foster + Partners won an international competition to design the new HSBC headquarters in Hong Kong. When the building was completed, it was the most expensive building in the world.

The firm was chosen to renovate the Reichstag in Berlin after being selected in a design competition in 1992. The renovation was completed in 1999.

Foster + Partners was selected to be architect of a new skyscraper in London to be built on the site of the Baltic Exchange building, which had been heavily damaged by an IRA bomb in 1992. The building, known as 30 St Mary Axe or its nickname, “The Gherkin,” was completed in 2004 for Swiss Re.

In 2001, construction began on the Norman Foster-designed Millau Viaduct spanning the Tarn Gorge in southern France. The bridge was completed in 2004 and as of 2024 was the tallest bridge in the world.

Foster divided the architectural staff into six architectural studios in 2003 and appointed partners of the firm to lead each one.

In 2007, the private equity company 3i took a stake in the firm.

The firm was approached by Steve Jobs in 2009 to develop 75 acres in Cupertino, California into the new headquarters of Apple; Jobs consulted on the design until his death in 2011. The campus, known as Apple Park, cost $5 billion and opened in 2017.

The practice regained complete ownership in June 2014, when the 140 partners bought it back from 3i.

In October 2021, a stake in the firm was bought for an undisclosed sum by a Canadian private investor, Hennick & Company, which became the single largest shareholder of the firm. Foster retains a controlling interest.

Services

Foster + Partners is a multidisciplinary practice. The firm has six studios which provide a range of services related to architecture and design. The firm maintains an in-house engineering practice that includes structural and environmental engineering, and the Foster + Partners industrial design studio develops products at both commercial and standalone scale, including furniture and lighting.

The firm has led large-scale projects through its urban design and masterplanning studio including the master plan for the rebuilding of the Hatay Province in Turkey following the 2023 earthquakes that devastated the region.

Notable projects

Notable projects ordered by year of completion and type:

Masterplans

• More London, London, UK (1998–2000)
• Duisburg Inner Harbour, Germany (1991–2003)
• Trafalgar Square redevelopment, London, UK (1996–2003)
• Quartermile, Edinburgh, Scotland (2001–)
• Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2007–)
• West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong (2009)
• Thames Hub, UK (2011–)
• Central Square, Cardiff, Wales
• Amaravati, India (under construction)

Airports

• Red Sea International Airport, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia (2021–)
• Techo International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2025)

Bridges

• Millau Viaduct, the tallest bridge in the world (2004)
• Western Årsta Bridge, Sweden (1994/2005)
• Millennium Bridge, London, UK (1998–2002)

Government

• Reichstag building redevelopment, Berlin, Germany (1999)
• London City Hall, UK (2002)
• New Supreme Court Building, Singapore (2015)
• Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Astana, Kazakhstan (2006)
• Buenos Aires City Hall (new headquarters), Buenos Aires, Argentina (2015)

Cultural

• Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK (1978)
• Clyde Auditorium, part of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre complex, Glasgow (1997)
• Sackler Galleries, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (1985–1991)
• Carré d'Art, Nîmes, France (1984–1993)
• American Air Museum, Imperial War Museum Duxford, UK (1997) – Stirling Prize
• Queen Elizabeth II Great Court redevelopment, British Museum, London, UK (2000)
• The Sage Gateshead, Gateshead, UK (1997–2004)
• The Zénith, Zénith de Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France (2004–2007)
• The Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, Smithsonian Institution, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., US (2004–2007)
• Winspear Opera House, Dallas, US (2003–2009)
• Art of the Americas Wing, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston, US (1999–2010)
• Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, Astana, Kazakhstan (2006–2010)
• Sperone Westwater Gallery, New York City, US (2008–2010)
• Extension to Lenbachhaus art museum, Munich, Germany (2013)
• OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland (2004–2013)
• Datong Art Museum, China (2011–2022)
• Hall of Realms, Madrid, Spain (2018–2021)

Higher education

• Kings Norton Library, Cranfield University, UK (1994)
• Faculty of Law, Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (1995)
• Faculty of Management (now known as Aberdeen Business School), The Robert Gordon University, UK (1998)
• Imperial College School of Medicine, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London, UK (1994–1998)
• Center for Clinical Science Research, Stanford University Stanford, California, US (1995–2000)
• British Library of Political and Economic Science, London School of Economics, London, UK (1993–2001)
• Imperial College London, Flowers Building, London, UK (1997–2001)
• Faculty of Social Studies, University of Oxford, UK (1996–2002)
• James H. Clark Center, Stanford, California, US (1999–2003)
• Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Tronoh, Perak, Malaysia (2004)
• Tanaka Business School, renamed the Imperial College Business School, London, UK (2004)
• Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany (2005)
• Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (2006)
• Library, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, California, US (2000–2008)
• Yale School of Management, new campus, New Haven, US (2013)
• Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2007–2015)
• China Resources University, Shenzhen, China (2011–2016)
• Health Education Campus (HEC), Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, US (2015–2019), location of the first U.S. 2020 Presidential Debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
• York University, Toronto, Canada (2018)
• Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2009

Sport

• Wembley Stadium reconstruction, London, UK (2007)
• Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar (2010)

Transportation

• Stansted Airport, Uttlesford, UK (1991)
• Metro Bilbao, Spain (1997) – Line 2 (2004)
• Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong (1998)
• Canary Wharf tube station, London, UK (1999)
• Expo MRT station, Singapore (2001)
• Dresden Hauptbahnhof redevelopment, Dresden, Germany (1997–2006)
• Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing, China (2008)
• Heathrow Terminal 2, London, UK
• Spaceport America, New Mexico, US (2005–2013)
• Four railway stations for the Haramain High Speed Rail Project, Saudi Arabia
• Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Hong Kong (2013)
• Mexico City Texcoco Airport, Mexico (projected 2020)
• Slussenområdet redevelopment, Stockholm, Sweden (projected 2022)
• Queen Alia International Airport, Amman, Jordan (2005–2013)
• Thames Hub, UK (from 2011)
• Thames Hub Airport, UK (from 2013)
• Ocean Terminal extension, Hong Kong
• York University station – TYSSE, Vaughan, Ontario/Toronto, Canada (2017)
• Red Sea International Airport, Hanak, Saudi Arabia (2023)
• Tocumen International Airport Terminal 2, Panama City, Panama (2023)
• Gadigal and Barangaroo Metro stations, Sydney (2024)
• Techo International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2025)
• Solidarity Transport Hub or Central Communication/Transport Port, Baranów, Poland (2027)

Office

• Fred. Olsen Lines terminal, London Docklands, UK (1971)
• Willis Building, Ipswich, UK (1971–1975)
• HSBC Tower, Hong Kong (1986)
• Commerzbank Tower, Frankfurt, Germany (1997)
• Citigroup Centre, London, UK (1996–2000)
• 8 Canada Square (global headquarters of HSBC Group, London, UK (1997–2002)
• The Gherkin, London, UK – Swiss Re headquarters (2004) – Stirling Prize
• McLaren Technology Centre, base for the McLaren Formula One team and McLaren Group, Woking, UK (2004)
• Deutsche Bank Place, Sydney (1997–2005)
• Hearst Tower, New York City, US (2006)
• Willis Building, London, UK (2001–2007)
• Torre Cepsa, Madrid, Spain (2002–2009)
• Principal Place, Shoreditch, London (2012–2016) – UK headquarters of Amazon
• Apple Park (corporate headquarters of Apple Inc.), Cupertino, California, US (2013–2017)
• Bloomberg London (European headquarters), London UK (2017) – Stirling Prize
• Hankook Technoplex, Daejeon, South Korea (2016–2020)
• Varso (the tallest building in Poland and in the European Union), Warsaw, Poland (2022)
• 425 Park Avenue, New York City, US (2022)
• Headquarters, Yekaterinburg, Russia (2020)
• DJI Sky City (DJI headquarter), Shenzhen, China (2022)
• MOL Campus (the tallest Building in Hungary), Budapest, Hungary (2022)

Leisure

• The Great Glasshouse, National Botanic Garden of Wales, Wales, UK (1995–2000)
• Elephant House, Copenhagen Zoo#Foster's Elephant House, Copenhagen, Denmark (2002–2008)
• Dolder Grand restoration, Zürich, Switzerland (2002–2008)
• Faustino Winery Bodegas Faustino, Castilla y Leon, Spain (2007–2010)
• Le Dôme winery, Saint-Émilion, France (−2021)
• ME Hotel, ME by Meliá, London, UK (2004–2013)
• The Murray, Hong Kong (2018)

Mixed use

• Albion Riverside, London, UK (1998–2003)
• Al Faisaliyah Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1994–2000)
• The Index (Dubai), Dubai, UAE (2010)
• The Troika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2004–2011)
• The Bow, Calgary, Canada (2005–2013)
• Central Market Project, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2006–2013)
• One Central Park, Sydney, Australia (2012–2013)
• 2 World Trade Center (formerly 200 Greenwich Street), New York City, US (completion date not set yet)
• CityCenterDC, Washington, D.C., US
• Crystal Island, Moscow, Russia (completion date not set yet)
• Hermitage Plaza, La Défense, Paris, France (from 2008)
• India Tower, Mumbai, India (cancelled)
• Oceanwide Center, San Francisco, US (predicted completion date 2021)
• Comcast Technology Center, Philadelphia, US (completed 2018)
• VietinBank Business Center Office Tower, Hanoi, Vietnam (predicted completion date 2017)
• Principal Place (including Principal Tower), London, UK (2017)
• Battersea Power Station Phase 3, London, UK (under construction)
• The One, Toronto, Canada (projected 2024)

Residential

• The Murezzan, St Moritz, Switzerland (2003–2007)
• Regent Place, Sydney, Australia (2003–2007)
• Jameson House, Vancouver, Canada (2004–2011)
• The Aleph, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2006–2013)
• Anfa Place, Casablanca, Morocco (2007–2013)
• Faena House, Miami Beach, US
• The Towers by Foster + Partners, Miami, US (2016)
• Arcoris Mont Kiara, Malaysia (projected 2016)
• 100 East 53rd Street (formerly 610 Lexington Avenue), New York City, US (2019)
• 50 United Nations Plaza, New York City, US (2015)
• Ocean Tower, Mumbai, India (projected 2022)
• The Estate Makati, Makati, Philippines (projected 2023)

Retail

• Apple Michigan Avenue, Chicago, US (2017)

Current

• BBC Cymru Wales New Broadcasting House, Cardiff, Wales
• Amaravati, India (under construction)
• 270 Park Avenue redevelopment, New York, United States (under construction)
• Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, United States (renovation)

Selected works

File:LSE large.jpg|The British Library of Political and Economic Science File:Hong Kong International Airport.jpg|The futuristic interior roof of Hong Kong International Airport File:Foster - Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters Ipswich.jpg|The Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters in Ipswich was one of Foster's earliest commissions after founding Foster Associates. File:British Museum Great Court roof.jpg|The tessellated glass roof of the British Museum's Great Court. File:London Wembley.jpg|The new Wembley Stadium in London: one of the most controversial projects that Foster + Partners have been involved in. File:30 St Mary Axe, 'Gherkin'.JPG|30 St Mary Axe, one of London's most popular new buildings. File:Reichstag Berlin P10100333.JPG|The reconstruction of the Reichstag building File:Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.jpg|Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts File:TateMilleniumStPauls GS.jpg|Millennium Bridge, London File:HK HSBC Main Building 2008.jpg|HSBC building in Hong Kong File:City Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1774997.jpg|London City Hall File:Bloomberg European Headquarters, London.jpg|Bloomberg European Headquarters, London File:Aerial view of Apple Park dllu.jpg|Apple Park File:Apple Store The Grove.jpg|Interior of the Apple Store in Los Angeles, California

Awards

• 1998 RIBA Stirling Prize for Imperial War Museum
• 2000 Welsh National Eisteddfod Gold Medal for the Great Glasshouse, National Botanic Garden of Wales
• 2003 MIPIM AR Future Projects Award, Grand Prix for Swiss Re
• 2004 RIBA Stirling Prize for Swiss Re
• 2007 RIBA European Award for Dresden Station Redevelopment
• 2007 RIBA International Award for Hearst Tower
• 2007 Aga Khan Award for Architecture for University of Technology Petronas
• 2008 2008 LEAF Award for Beijing Airport Terminal 3
• 2009 RIBA European Award for Zenith
• 2009 2009 RIBA International Award for Beijing Airport Terminal 3
• In June 2011, The Index Tower was the recipient of the 2011 Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa award by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
• 2010 RIBA International Award for Winspear Opera House
• 2011 RIBA International Award for Masdar Institute
• 2011 RIBA International Award for Boston Museum of Fine Arts
• 2013 RIBA International Award for Faena Aleph Residences
• 2013 RIBA International Award Central Market Project
• 2013 RIBA Award 7 More London More London
• 2013 Best Bar, Restaurant & Bar Design Awards for Atrium Champagne Bar, London, UK
• 2014 RIBA International Award for Marseille Vieux Port
• 2016 RIBA International Award for Buenos Aires Ciudad Casa de Gobierno
• 2017 RIBA National Award for Maggie's at the Robert Parfett Building
• 2018 RIBA Awards for International Excellence for Xiao Jing Wan University
• 2018 Stirling Prize for Bloomberg London, UK
• World Winners Prix Versailles 2018

Criticism

In June 2008, The Guardian criticized real estate development in a pristine seacoast area in Bulgaria, which was under EU environmental protection. The paper cited environmentalists' concerns over the impact of the planned 15,000-inhabitant resort facilities. The Bulgarian partner Georgi Stanishev, is the brother of Sergey Stanishev, who served as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria between 2005 and 2009 and is also the Leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party.

References

References

1. (29 April 2024). "Would you work in Saudi Arabia?". Architect's Journal.
2. "Foster Partners’ Saudi projects help them earn £100m dividends".
3. (13 August 2019). "Hong Kong Airport, a City's Symbol of Pride, Is Now Its Hub of Unrest". New York Times.
4. (10 May 2023). "Norman Foster Is Still Looking Upward". New York Times.
5. (13 February 2009). "Norman Foster's No Good, Rotten, Very Bad Week". Fast Company.
6. "These 5 architectural designs influence every legislature in the world — and tell you how each governs". Washington Post.
7. (11 October 2021). "Foster + Partners sold to a Canadian private investment firm". The Architect's Newspaper.
8. (30 August 2022). "Leading light: Foster + Partners' Industrial Design shines bright". Wallpaper.
9. (12 May 2023). "Norman Foster Is More Invested in the Future Than Ever". Architectural Digest.
10. (10 October 2018). "Bloomberg's European HQ named UK's best new building". CNN.
11. Parker, Ian. (20 January 2025). "Norman Foster’s Empire of Image Control". The New Yorker.
12. (19 January 2023). ""There are a lot of dangerous myths" about sustainability says Norman Foster". dezeen.
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