this a short documentary/ movie review on the ar. norman foster and his work, life & career named " architecture in frame"

1. LOKMANYA TILAK INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN STUDIES
TECHNOLOGY STUDIO-SEM V
ASSIGNMENT-2 (SHORTFILM REVIEW- “How much does your building weigh Mr. Foster”)
ARCHITECTURE IN FRAME
One need not know anything about Art and Architecture to appreciate the creations of Norman Foster. His
buildings are relentlessly optimistic about the future of technology and of the modern adventure. You
could believe a building might fly.
“How much does your building weigh Mr. Foster” is a short documentary focusing on the life and work of
British architect Norman foster. The narrator of movie describe Mr. Foster as “the Mozart of Modernism”.
One can appreciate the grace and harmony of his compositions in glass, steel and light. Title of this
documentary is therefore rightly named.
There is always something of the air and aerospace about Norman buildings - wherever they are in the
world and whatever purpose they serve. Whether the discreet American Air Force Museum in Duxford, the
vast Chep Lap Kok airport in HongKong, the Eco-friendly Commerz bank tower in Frankfurt or its
spiralling City of London counterpart, the "Gherkin", they aim consistently high, Sleek and clear.
Toward the end of documentary there is a burst of intellectual momentum as the discussion turns to the
challenges of sustainable planning and large-scale construction in a rapidly developing world. Later in the
film we see some real fire from him as he describes a carbon-neutral project in Abu Dhabi and why the
biggest challenge facing all architects is whether we’ll be able to create green buildings and sustainable
communities before the planet is walloped by global warming.
In the not so distant future, he says, we will be asking, “Did everybody wake up in time or did they wake
up too late?” He, of course, believes he is awake in time.
Now the movie not only teaches us architecture but gives us the lesson for life. His struggle with bowl
cancer and heart attack is inspiring much.He loves airplanes and is a devoted skier. We see Mr. Foster, now
76, participating in a cross-country ski race and also spending time at home with his family.He talks of
teamwork, above all, and means it. It is, perhaps, his ceaseless drive for fresh challenges and the desire to
better himself and the world around him that will ultimately save him from hubris.
Name:Jain Mamta
Class:B
Roll No:08