Norman Foster, widely regarded as one of the world's greatest architects, turned 90 this summer and shows no signs of slowing down. In an exclusive interview, the British architect and designer opens up about his journey to architecture, what drives him, and what the future holds for urban design and sustainable development.
Foster's remarkable career began from humble origins in Manchester, where he left school at 16 due to bullying and worked various jobs to fund his architectural education. From baker to ice cream vendor, Foster took on numerous roles to finance his studies at the University of Manchester. "I've always been interested in buildings," Foster reflects on his youth. "Around age 20, I discovered it was possible to study architecture." Despite lacking the required qualifications for university admission, the University of Manchester made an exception, allowing Foster to study architecture and graduate with his diploma in 1961.
The architect's breakthrough came in 1968 when he was desperately searching for work while teaching part-time at the Architectural Association in London. A student whose father worked at the Millwall Docks told him about the Fred Olsen shipping company's negotiations with contractors to build a new community building for dock workers. "He told me he could arrange a meeting with the port manager. I seized the opportunity!" Foster recalls. This project, the Fred Olsen Amenity Building in London's docks, offered an innovative approach to workplace design that prioritized collaboration and well-being by uniting office and social spaces for dock workers and executives under one roof, promoting a more egalitarian work culture and challenging traditional social hierarchies.
Today, Foster + Partners operates 20 offices across 12 countries and employs over 2,500 people worldwide. Foster has been honored multiple times throughout his career and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990, becoming the first architect to receive this honor, though he later relinquished his seat in the House of Lords in 2010 after relocating his primary residence to Switzerland. Even during times when he battled life-threatening illnesses, design remained both his passion and calling.
"Design is actually a social task," explains Foster, who also holds a pilot's license. "It serves to improve our quality of life, both materially and spiritually. It's about concepts of beauty, comfort, and working sustainably with nature to create robust communities." This philosophy is evident in his world-renowned landmarks, including the Great Court of the British Museum in London, Apple Park in Cupertino, California, the Millau Viaduct in Creissels, France, and the soon-to-open Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, set to debut on December 3, 2025.
Foster's designs consistently reshape how people live, work, and spend their leisure time globally. However, it's the lessons from history that inspire Foster's vision for the future. His transparent dome design for the Reichstag building in Berlin symbolizes governmental openness and accessibility, literally allowing citizens to look down into the plenary hall from above. The design also featured an early statement on energy-efficient construction with its central mirror and ventilation system that circulates air through the building. Similarly, London's Millennium Bridge, which Foster co-designed and opened in 2000 as the first new pedestrian bridge over the Thames in over 100 years, became a technical breakthrough that provided crucial momentum for urban development on the South Bank side of the Thames.
"The most important lesson we can take from history is that cities always emerge stronger from times of crisis," Foster emphasizes. He points to various historical examples: the earthquakes in Lisbon that led to the development of seismic structures, cholera in New York that paved the way for modern sanitation systems, and the Great Fire of London that resulted in the creation of terraced houses. "We question, we challenge things, and wherever possible, we innovate. We try to implement changes for the good, but we're always aware of the historical dimension," he explains.
As a forward-thinking high-tech architect, artificial intelligence has become a natural component of Foster's work. "We've been using AI for some time now," the architect explains. "When I started, everything was drawn by hand; today it happens on screen. Of course, technology is much more powerful today. Yet the human component is irreplaceable." Foster emphasizes that when commissioning or using a building, human dialogue remains essential. "In community projects, digital tools can capture impacts in advance using models. You don't have to implement it first to find out. In this regard, technology can fundamentally involve end users and bring about positive changes."
Foster's current projects reflect his futuristic vision and commitment to innovation. His designs for high-tech resorts in Saudi Arabia and new access points for Venice's water and land transportation utilize high-performance, lightweight materials similar to those found in supercars to create innovative transportation infrastructure for the floating city. The Gateway to Venice's Waterway, a 37-meter structure in Venice's Arsenale, features an outer shell based on lightweight construction technologies used in racing cars like the Porsche 917, demonstrating future sustainable mobility in the city.
At 90, Foster continues to look toward the future with enthusiasm, currently working on an astounding 95 projects across 49 cities. Promoting young creatives remains a top priority, whether through his own work or via the Norman Foster Foundation. Outside of work, skiing remains his favorite recreational activity. His advice to the new generation of architects reflects his own journey: "Take on any project that gives you the opportunity to innovate – nothing is too modest," he says. "Don't be discouraged by setbacks, because no sincere effort is ever in vain. I guarantee that even when you lose a competition, you'll realize over time that while you didn't win the project, you gained something much more valuable."
