Norman Foster is a renowned British architect known for high-tech and eco-friendly designs. Some of his most notable works include 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin) in London, Millau Viaduct in France, Reichstag dome in Berlin, and Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. For each project, Foster focuses on innovative engineering solutions, environmental sustainability, and enhancing the user experience through natural light and ventilation. His designs are recognized globally for their technical excellence and ability to blend seamlessly with their surroundings.

1. By- SRISHTI SHUBH

2. • Born on June1, 1935
• Raised in Manchester, in a working class family
• Had the work ethics like his parents who were diligent and
dedicated to work.
• Worked at treasurer‟s office at Town hall.
• Joined University of Manchester, School of Architecture
• Later he got a fellowship at Yale School of Architecture, and
completed his masters under Richard Rogers, also his future
business partner.
• In 1953 he served the Royal Air Force, driven by his passion
for Aircrafts
• In 1963 he set up practice in United Kingdom, under the name
of Team 4,which later became Foster+ Partners.
• He is one of the most High Tech architects of present time.

3. • Foster was Knighted in 1990. Also he was made life peer
in 1999-as Lord Baron Foster of Thames Bank.
• In 1994- awarded the AIA Gold Medal
• Second British architect to have won Sterling Prize twice.
• Awarded the Pritzker Prize in 1999
• In 2009 – Prince of Asturias Award, for Arts
• Received Aga Khan Award for Architecture
• And is a fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers
He has received numerous more awards and recognition
for his works over his lifetime.

4. • “The quality of our surroundings has a direct influence on
the quality of our lives”.
• He believes that “Architecture is generated by the needs
of people, both material and spiritual”.
• The process of „reinvention‟ distinguishes all of his work –
past and present – and rests on a duty to design well and
to design responsibly – whether that is at the scale of an
airport or a door handle.
• He anticipated trends like energy conservation and
ecological impacts, pioneering design solutions that use
totally renewable sources of energy and offer dramatic
reductions in CO2 emissions. Environmental awareness
is an integral part of his design as it evolves to meet the
challenges of the next forty years

5. 30 St Mary Axe London, or The Gherkin (Skyscrapers can be eco-
friendly)
• Iconic symbol of London at 180 mtrs. and is one of the city's most
widely recognised examples of modern architecture.
• “Gherkin” meaning a cucumber denotes the unusual shape
of the building.
• Gaps in each floor create six air shafts that serve as a
natural ventilation system for the entire building.

6. • Diamond shaped scaly
façade is another
ingenuine design, which
gives a shimmering crystal
image, very elegant
design.
• The triangulated perimeter
also provides enough
stiffness to the building to
resist high wind turbulence
at greater height, also the
slender shape provides
minimum resistance to
winds.
• The narrower base is in
line with the narrow
London roads, which does
not make the building
massive or imposing, even

7. Tower's topmost panoramic dome, known as the "lens“ offers
a magnificent view of the city. The only curved piece of glass
in the building.

8. Bar for tenants and guests at 40th floor. Was achieved by stopping the
main lift at 34th floor. And connecting a push-from-below lift till 39th floor,
so as to maintain a hindrance free flat surface at the topmost floor.

9. Giant double glazed structure lets natural light in,
enhancing the work environment and reducing
lighting costs.
Energy-saving methods which allow it to use half
the power a similar tower would typically
consume

10. External skeleton of the building is made
of cross-linked steel pieces, which are
then clad by the diamond-shaped
double glazing.
Emulates
Norman
Foster‟s
thinking of
enhancing
the living
environmen
t to
enhance
• Masterpiece in
people‟s
skyscraper lives.
architecture.
• Voted as the most
admired new building
in the world.

11. • Tallest bridge in the world.
• A cable stayed bridge with seven tall piers spanning a length of 2.5
km, over the river tarn.

12. • The bridge deck was constructed on land at the
ends of the viaduct and rolled lengthwise from
one pylon to the next, over a hydraulically
operated assembly system.
• Mast pieces were driven over the new deck lying
down horizontally
• Pieces were joined to form the one complete
mast, still lying horizontally
• Mast was then tilted upwards
• 11 Cable stays per mast connecting the masts
and the deck were then installed, and the bridge
was tensioned overall and weight tested.

13. The second mast is the
tallest structure in
France,
Taller than the Eiffel
Tower.

14. • There is something about the bridge that is nothing short of
awe inspiring.
• The idea itself of a bridge launching through a pictresque
landscape on a series of giant posts, the size of the
skyscrapers is very courageous.
• The design of the bridge is very serene, and enchanting, and
in no way hurts the existing natural landscape and scenery.
• He intended it to be “as delicate as a butterfly.” Observing that
“to drive across the bridge would feel like flying a car,”
• He also noted the structure “illustrates how a collaboration
between architects and engineers can result in a structure of
breathtaking beauty,” adding that this beauty “lies primarily in
its clarity of expression.”

15. • Thus the design gives the impression that the bridge piers had grown
from the soil, in line with Foster‟s conviction that “A work of man must
fuse with nature.”
• The bridge received the 2006 IABSE Outstanding Structure Award

16. It was opened in 1894 and housed the Reichstag until 1933 when it was
severely damaged in a fire.
After World War II, It was rendered useless.
The ruined building was made safe against the elements and partially
refurbished in the 1960s, but no attempt at full restoration was made until after
German reunification on October 3, 1990.

17. • The building was then renovated by Norman Foster.
• This time his architecture was about power.
• Norman foster creates a landmark of cultures of very different times to express
who or what they are through his architecture.
• The dome that he created above the Reichstag building was a symbol of the
reunified Germany.
• It stood for the democracy and unity of the new nation.

18. • The Reichstag dome is a glass dome. with a 360 degree view of the
surrounding Berlin cityscape.
• The dome is open to the public and can be reached by climbing two
steel, spiralling ramps that look like a double-helix.

19. • A mirrored cone in the centre of the dome directs sunlight into
the building, and so that visitors can see the working of the
chamber
• The glass dome was also designed by Foster to
be environmentally friendly effectively decreasing the carbon
emissions of the building

20. • The futuristic and transparent design of the Reichstag
dome makes it a unique landmark, and symbolizes
Berlin's attempt to move away from a past of Nazism and
instead towards a future with a heavier emphasis on a
united, democratic Germany

21. • He proposed something that would work with the ecology of the
building
• It would work with the winds, would draw sun in, would have shade.
• It would also celebrate, a processional route to the summit, for the
visitors who come to the cupola.
• The Dome symbolizes that the people are above the government.

22. • The challenges met by Foster were
• To restore damage
• To take what was left of the old building and make it look new again.
• To show what once happened to the building, to show it‟s history
• He handles this very sensitively.
• He kept the Russian soldiers, sometimes obscene messages, written on
the stone walls.
• Since it was a part of the German history, a part of that building, which
should not be wiped out.

23. Masdar City is a ground breaking new design by Foster in Abu
Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), With city planning
focused on providing all of the modern conveniences, services and benefits of
living in one of the great cities of the world, but in a 100% carbon-neutral
environment.

24. While sustaining a population of 47,500, Masdar City will run only on renewable
energies sourced from the harsh Arabian climate via the wind and sun. Cars will be
replaced with electronic rail and an innovative personal rapid transit system making it
pedestrian friendly where upon no resident will be less than 200m from public transport
& amenities.

25. Masdar City is more than a concept – it is happening. Phase One of Masdar City
has now begun – The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is underway and
reaching completion.

26. WILLIS FABER AND DUMAS BUILDING, IPSWICH

27. AMERICAN AIR MUSEUM

28. CLYDE AUDITORIUM

29. Let your drawings speak…..