5 Must-Visit Structures by Norman Foster

Norman Foster is widely recognized as one of the most influential architects of contemporary architecture, known for seamlessly integrating advanced technology, sustainability, and refined aesthetics. As the founder of Foster + Partners, his work is defined by structural clarity, lightweight construction, and a deep understanding of how buildings can adapt to environmental and urban contexts. Among the most celebrated Norman Foster buildings, each project reveals its engineering logic, transforming technical precision into visual sophistication. With a career spanning over five decades, Lord Norman Foster has completed more than 250 major projects across over 40 countries, earning the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1999. The following five structures represent must-visit examples of his architectural philosophy, showcasing how innovation and elegance coexist in the built environment.

1. 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin), London — Norman Foster’s Most Famous Building

Perhaps Norman Foster’s most iconic building, 30 St Mary Axe—commonly known as the Gherkin—redefined London’s skyline upon its completion in 2004. Its distinctive aerodynamic form was shaped to reduce wind loads and improve energy efficiency through natural ventilation. The building’s diagrid structural system allows for large, flexible floor plates while minimizing material use. As both a technical and visual landmark, the Gherkin exemplifies Foster’s ability to fuse sustainability with bold urban identity. When people ask “what is Norman Foster’s most famous building,” the Gherkin is consistently the answer—a structure that has become synonymous with London’s modern architectural character.

2. Hearst Tower, New York — A Landmark Among Norman Foster Famous Buildings

The Hearst Tower stands as a striking juxtaposition of historic preservation and contemporary innovation, and ranks among the most recognized Norman Foster famous buildings in the United States. Built atop the original 1928 Hearst headquarters, Foster’s intervention introduces a crystalline glass tower supported by a steel diagrid structure. This system reduces the amount of steel required by approximately 20% compared to a conventional frame while maximizing openness and daylight. The tower was one of New York’s first LEED Gold-certified skyscrapers, reflecting Foster’s commitment to environmental performance without compromising architectural ambition. Architectural critic Paul Goldberger famously described Norman Foster as the “Mozart of Modernism” after witnessing this building’s completion.

3. Apple Park, Cupertino — The Largest Structure Norman Foster Designed

Designed as Apple’s corporate campus, Apple Park represents Foster’s most extensive exploration of architecture, landscape, and technology as a unified system. The massive circular form—spanning 2.8 million square feet across 175 acres—encloses a landscaped interior that prioritizes natural light, walkability, and collaboration. Advanced glazing, natural ventilation strategies, and extensive use of renewable energy define the project’s environmental approach. The campus is 100% powered by renewable energy, with approximately 9,000 trees planted on site. More than an office complex, Apple Park demonstrates how architecture can support innovation-driven culture at a monumental scale. Working closely with the late Steve Jobs, Lord Norman Foster and his team created a project that answers the question of what buildings did Norman Foster design at the largest scale imaginable.

4. Reichstag Dome, Berlin — Symbolism and Sustainability in Norman Foster’s Architecture

Foster’s redesign of the Reichstag in Berlin transformed a historic political monument into a symbol of transparency and democratic renewal. Completed in 1999, the glass dome allows visitors to ascend above the parliamentary chamber while daylight is directed into the building below through mirrored surfaces. This architectural gesture merges symbolism with environmental strategy, enhancing natural lighting and ventilation while incorporating green roofs and renewable energy sources. The project illustrates Foster’s sensitivity to historical context while introducing contemporary ecological thinking. The Reichstag renovation is a defining example among Norman Foster buildings where architecture serves as both political expression and green architecture.

5. Millau Viaduct, France — Engineering and Architectural Elegance

Spanning the Tarn Valley in southern France, the Millau Viaduct is one of the tallest bridges in the world and a masterpiece of structural elegance. Designed in collaboration with engineer Michel Virlogeux, the viaduct’s slender pylons and cable-stayed system create a sense of lightness despite its monumental scale. Standing at a maximum height of 343 meters, the bridge blends gracefully with the surrounding landscape, demonstrating how infrastructure can achieve architectural refinement alongside engineering excellence. This project perfectly illustrates what buildings has Norman Foster designed beyond conventional architecture—extending his vision to transformative infrastructure that connects cities while respecting nature.

Who Is Lord Norman Foster? The Architect Behind the Buildings

Born in Manchester, England, in 1935, Lord Norman Foster rose from a working-class background to become one of the world’s most decorated architects. After studying at the University of Manchester and Yale University, he established Foster Associates in 1967—now known as Foster + Partners. His early projects, such as the Willis Faber & Dumas Headquarters in Ipswich (1975) and the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts (1978), established him as a pioneer of high-tech architecture. How many buildings has Norman Foster designed? Over the course of his career, his firm has completed more than 250 major works, from airports and museums to corporate headquarters and bridges. Foster was knighted in 1990 and elevated to the peerage as Baron Foster of Thames Bank in 1999, the same year he received the Pritzker Prize. The celebrated 2010 documentary How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster? captures his remarkable journey from Manchester to global architectural prominence.

Among the many Norman Foster famous buildings beyond the five highlighted above, notable works include the Bloomberg European Headquarters in London (winner of the 2018 Stirling Prize), the Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt, the Great Court of the British Museum, and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Headquarters. His practice also engages in visionary projects such as sustainable housing developments and collaborations with NASA and the European Space Agency on lunar habitation concepts. Each project reinforces his philosophy that architecture should be technologically advanced yet deeply responsive to human needs and environmental responsibility.

Norman Foster’s Design Philosophy: Innovation Meets Sustainability

What unifies all Norman Foster buildings is a consistent design philosophy rooted in three principles: structural innovation, environmental performance, and human-centered design. Influenced by visionary thinker Buckminster Fuller, Foster approaches each project with the belief that architecture must address the fragility of the planet. His buildings frequently employ natural ventilation, passive solar strategies, and advanced glazing systems to reduce energy consumption. The diagrid structural system—visible in both the Gherkin and Hearst Tower—exemplifies his commitment to achieving more with less material. Foster’s designs also prioritize the experience of occupants, incorporating natural light, green spaces, and flexible layouts that promote well-being and collaboration. This integrated approach to sustainable architecture has set enduring standards for the profession and inspired generations of architects, including contemporaries like Richard Rogers, with whom Foster co-founded Team 4 in the early 1960s.

Norman Foster’s work consistently demonstrates that architecture can be both technologically advanced and deeply humane. These five must-visit structures, along with his broader portfolio, capture the essence of his design philosophy—where sustainability, innovation, and beauty operate together. Through cities, institutions, and infrastructure worldwide, Foster continues to shape the future of architecture, setting enduring standards for intelligent and responsible design. Whether exploring what buildings did Norman Foster design or studying the principles behind them, his body of work offers an unparalleled masterclass in how great architecture can serve both people and the planet.