Foster and Partners Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Foster and Partners


Type	Private
Industry	Architecture, engineering, urban planning
Founded	1967; 58 years ago (1967)
Founder	Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank, Founder and Executive Chairman
Headquarters	London, England , United Kingdom
Area served	International
Key people	Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman Spencer de Grey, Senior Partner, Head of Design Stuart Latham, Managing Partner
Services	Architecture, Design, Industrial Design
Number of employees	1,900

Foster and Partners is a famous British company that designs amazing buildings all over the world. It is known as an architecture firm. The company was started in 1967 by the architect Norman Foster. Its main office, or headquarters, is in London, England.

The team at Foster and Partners includes architects, engineers, and designers. They have created some of the most famous modern structures. These include the Gherkin skyscraper in London, the Hearst Tower in New York City, and the Millau Viaduct bridge in France. They also designed the futuristic Hong Kong International Airport.

Besides designing buildings, the company also works on engineering and creating everyday objects. By 2021, about 1,500 people worked for the firm in cities like New York, Hong Kong, and Madrid. The firm has won many important awards for its creative designs.

History of the Firm
Famous Buildings and Structures
Selected Works
Awards
See also

History of the Firm

Norman Foster started his own architecture company in 1967. At first, it was called Foster Associates. The name later changed to Foster and Partners in 1999.

One of the firm's first major projects was the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, which was finished in 1978. This was the firm's first public building. It is a long, high-tech building made of steel and glass, designed to hold an art collection.

In 1979, the firm won a competition to design the new HSBC headquarters in Hong Kong. When it was finished, it was the most expensive building ever built at the time.

Another famous project was the redesign of the Reichstag in Berlin, Germany. The building was updated with a large glass dome on top, which was completed in 1999. Visitors can walk up a ramp inside the dome and look out over the city.

Famous Buildings and Structures

Foster and Partners is known for its unique and innovative designs. Here are some of their most well-known projects.

Skyscrapers and Towers

30 St Mary Axe ("The Gherkin"): This London skyscraper has a unique, rounded shape that earned it the nickname "The Gherkin." It was completed in 2004 and quickly became a famous landmark.
Hearst Tower: Located in New York City, this tower has a striking design with triangular glass panels. It was built on top of an older, historic building, mixing old and new styles.
HSBC Tower: This skyscraper in Hong Kong is famous for its "inside-out" design. The building's support structure is on the outside, which creates large, open office spaces inside.

Bridges and Airports

Millau Viaduct: This bridge in southern France is the tallest in the world. It has tall, slender towers and looks like it is floating above the clouds in the valley below. It opened in 2004.
Millennium Bridge: This is a pedestrian bridge in London that crosses the River Thames. It is known for its sleek, modern design and offers great views of St. Paul's Cathedral.
Hong Kong International Airport: The firm designed a huge, modern airport terminal that feels light and open. Its roof looks like a series of waves, making it a memorable place for travelers.

Stadiums and Headquarters

Wembley Stadium: Foster and Partners designed the new Wembley Stadium in London, which opened in 2007. It is famous for its giant arch that supports the roof and can be seen from across the city.
Apple Park: The firm worked with Apple's founder, Steve Jobs, to design the company's headquarters in California. The main building is a huge circle, often called "the spaceship," and it opened in 2017.

Selected Works

The British Library of Political and Economic Science
The futuristic interior roof of Hong Kong International Airport
The Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters in Ipswich was one of Foster's earliest projects.
The glass roof of the British Museum's Great Court.
The new Wembley Stadium in London, with its famous arch.
30 St Mary Axe, also known as "The Gherkin," is a famous London skyscraper.
The glass dome on top of the Reichstag building.
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
Millennium Bridge, London
HSBC building in Hong Kong
London City Hall
Bloomberg European Headquarters, London
Apple Park
Interior of the Apple Store in Los Angeles, California