foster + partners: the art of architecture

‘foster + partners: the art of architecture’ at the hong kong arts centre, hong kong, china image © hong kong arts centre

foster + partners: the art of architecture hong kong arts centre, hong kong, china curated by richard cork on now through september 22, 2011

the inclusive exhibition ‘foster + partners: the art of architecture’ displayed through september 22, 2011 at the hong kong arts centre located in hong kong, china, is curated by writer and critic richard cork. the exhibit features a broad range of the finished and current work of internationally renowned practice foster + partners. over 277 projects from twenty different countries represent issues of infrastructure, sustainability, urban planning, history and culture from the firm’s creation in 1967, when the studio was referred to as foster associates.

entrance to gallery image © hong kong arts centre

spanning over four decades, the consortium of diverse works demonstrate the continuously evolving practice of architecture, while accentuating the consistency of values found in lord foster’s buildings, regardless scope or size. this time capsule provides early projects, which explore solutions for environmental issues and sustainability concepts that have since become prevalent with the emergence of new green technologies.

model and display of reichstag, new german parliament, berlin, germany, 1992–1999 image © hong kong arts centre

‘the computer has revolutionized the way architects work, yet the language of drawing and model making still plays a central role in the studio – the exhibition offers incredible insight into the art of architecture through a display of sketches, which show some of these stepping stones in the design process.’ – richard cork, curator

reichstag, new german parliament, berlin, germany, 1992–1999 image © rudi meisel

spencer de grey, senior partner and head of design at foster + partners speaks about the exhibit’s location in hong kong: ‘this city has been a constant source of inspiration for designs such as chek lap kok airport, kai tak cruise terminal and, most recently, the masterplan for the west kowloon cultural district. unprecedented in its scale and ambition, the new cultural district with its sustainable agenda is the largest initiative of its kind in the world today and is set to transform the cultural life of hong kong.’

group of models including the sage gateshead, gateshead, england, 1997–2004 image © hong kong arts centre

model of the sage gateshead, gateshead, england, 1997–2004 image © hong kong arts centre

the sage gateshead, gateshead, england, 1997–2004image © nigel young_foster + partners

model of the great court at the british museum, london, england, 1994–2000 image © hong kong arts centre

the great court at the british museum, london, england, 1994–2000image © nigel young_foster + partners

models of hearst corporation headquarters and swiss re headquarters image © hong kong arts centre

model of swiss re headquarters, london,england, 1997–2004 image © hong kong arts centre

swiss re headquarters, london,england, 1997–2004image © nigel young_foster + partners

hearst corporation headquarters, new york, usa, 2001–2006  image © chuck choi

site model of west kowloon cultural district, hong kong, 2009 image © hong kong arts centre

west kowloon cultural district, hong kong, 2009  image © foster + partners

model of dresden station, dresden, germany

model of free university berlin, berlin, germany

foster and partners (311)