Norman Foster and the Rise of High-Tech Architecture “Im not a creature of habit. I like to find things from unexpected sources.”——Norman Foster Norman Foster made an indelible mark in the field of design as a pioneer of “high-tech architecture.” Of British decent, Foster advocated integrating contemporary technology with those traditional design elements that have long stood as the building blocks of the profession. The driving force behind many of his projects was the theory of generating harmony between man and nature.” This resulted in buildings that took into consideration practical living and subtly complemented the nuances of an individual’s lifestyle. Whats High-tech Architecture? High-tech architecture, also known as Late Modernism or Structural Expressionism, incorporates elements of high-tech industry and technology into building design. High-tech architecture opposes the traditional aesthetic ideal and reinforces contemporary technological achievements, all while advocating the beauty of mechanical simplicity. Structural Expressionist buildings expose the structural scaffolding on both the interior and exterior, placing a visual emphasis on internal steel and concrete skeletal structures. This stands in stark opposition to traditional buildings that are marked by their streamlined exteriors. Considered one of Norman Fosters masterpieces, the HSBC Main Building is a quintessential example of high-tech architecture. From the concept to completion, the building took seven years and now stands at a height of 180 meters, with 47 stories and four basement levels. The building has a modular design consisting of five steel modules prefabricated in the United Kingdom. To date, the HSBC Main Building is the poster child for the Late Modernism architectural movement. It has influenced a large number of recent designs that aim to capture its practical nature. Recently, Apple Campus 2 has taken main stage. Designed pre-mortem by the Apple’s co-founder, Steve Jobs, the entire concept is rooted in the aesthetic of Late Modernism. After Jobs death, management and oversight of the project fell to Norman Foster and could very well be his grandest project, to date. This building, aptly named Apple Spaceship,utilizes a high tech operation system, including the use of solar panels and an artificial intelligence system that regulates temperature, lighting and humidity within the building. The design of Apples latest building epitomizes Fosters mantra of harmony between man and nature.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:42:28 +0000
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