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In Search of the Global Architect: the Case of Norman Foster (and Partners)

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  • DONALD MCNEILL

Abstract

The figure of the global architect is often quoted in public discourse but loosely used. This article focuses on Norman Foster, the prolific British architect, and seeks to examine his successful exploitation of the processes of architectural globalization. Yet it also seeks to unravel the varying meanings of Foster — as ‘creative’ individual, as visual design style, and as architectural practice or firm. To illustrate this, I consider the architect in multiple ways: as an individual creative designer within an increasingly globalized architectural ‘star system’; through his corporeal presence at various stages of project design or commissioning; as the manager and leader of a design process and studio; and through a discussion of the relationship between ‘signature’ and brand, questioning the nature of authorship in contemporary architectural production. L’architecte planétaire est souvent mais imprécisément évoqué dans le discours public. En se consacrant au prolifique architecte britannique Norman Foster; cet article examine son exploitation pertinente des processus de mondialisation architecturale, tout en démêlant les sens que revêt Foster — individu créatif, style de conception visuel, et exercice ou cabinet d’architecte. Pour ce faire, l’homme est observé de plusieurs façons: comme concepteur créatif particulier dans un ‘star system’ d’architectes toujours plus mondialisé; à travers sa présence physique à divers stades de conception ou de réception du projet; en tant que dirigeant et chef de file d’un processus et d’un studio de création; et via une discussion sur le rapport entre ‘signature’ et marque, mettant en doute la paternité des productions architecturales contemporaines.

Suggested Citation

  • Donald Mcneill, 2005. "In Search of the Global Architect: the Case of Norman Foster (and Partners)," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 501-515, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:29:y:2005:i:3:p:501-515
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2005.00602.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Jan Balke & Paul Reuber & Gerald Wood, 2018. "Iconic architecture and place-specific neoliberal governmentality: Insights from Hamburg’s Elbe Philharmonic Hall," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 55(5), pages 997-1012, April.
    2. Paul Knox, 2011. "Starchitects, Starchitecture and the Symbolic Capital of World Cities," Chapters, in: Ben Derudder & Michael Hoyler & Peter J. Taylor & Frank Witlox (ed.), International Handbook of Globalization and World Cities, chapter 24, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Inge Goudsmit & Maria Kaika & Nanke Verloo, 2024. "A performing arts centre for whom? Rethinking the architect as negotiator of urban imaginaries," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 61(2), pages 350-369, February.
    4. Donald McNeill, 2007. "Office Buildings and the Signature Architect: Piano and Foster in Sydney," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 39(2), pages 487-501, February.
    5. Elizabeth Currid-Halkett & Gilad Ravid, 2012. "‘Stars’ and the Connectivity of Cultural Industry World Cities: An Empirical Social Network Analysis of Human Capital Mobility and its Implications for Economic Development," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(11), pages 2646-2663, November.
    6. Matt Patterson, 2012. "The Role of the Public Institution in Iconic Architectural Development," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(15), pages 3289-3305, November.

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