How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?

How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster? is a film directed by Norberto López Amado & Carlos Carcas. This film shows Norman Foster's journey from Manchester to a global practice, discussing architecture, why it matters, and how difficult it is to do it well. For you who maybe didn't know who is Norman Foster, he is a British Architect.  He graduated from Manchester University School of Architecture and City Planning in 1961 then he won a Henry Fellowship to Yale University, where he gained a Master’s in Architecture. He is the founder and chairman of Foster + Partners. One of his famous work and my favorite, is Reichstag dome in Berlin.

close-up The Reichstag Dome[1]

The Open-Air Top[1]

Inside[1]

The Reichstag Dome at night[1]

Back to the film, so How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster? is 78 minutes documentary film, and released on 8 October 2010. In the website of this movier, written that "The film traces the rise of one of the world’s premier architects, Norman Foster and his unending quest to improve the quality of life through design. Portrayed are Foster’s origins and how his dreams and influences inspired the design of emblematic projects such as the largest building in the world Beijing Airport, the Reichstag, the Hearst Building in New York and works such as the tallest bridge ever in Millau France. In the very near future, the majority of mankind will abandon the countryside and live entirely in cities. Foster offers some striking solutions to the problems that this historic event will create."[2]

In Yatzer website, tells that "This movie portrays how the world of art has influenced Foster and how Foster has brought the world of art into his design. Art, for the sake of the pleasure it gives and how, when combined with architecture, it leads to something greater and more uplifting that the sum of the two. It celebrates the special qualities of some of the most extraordinary structures of our times, and explores what it was that made them possible. It documents the way that great architecture is created, but does not flinch from the disappointments, and the set backs, and even the failures that come with it."[3]


I personally have not watch this movie, but from several references that I read (one of them is from Yatzer), I think this movie is a great movie that we, as an future architect, should watch. How about we watch it together, guys?


references:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichstag_dome
2. http://www.mrfostermovie.com/about.php
3. http://yatzer.com/vow-43-How-Much-Does-Your-Building-Weigh-Mr-Foster


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