Norman Foster | Standpoint

July 2008

Foster’s Médiathèque in Nîmes occupies the site of a handsome, colonnaded theatre, which matched perfectly the famous Roman temple, the Maison Carrée, in the middle of the square. In the 19th century, the temple had been set off by finely designed railings and well detailed steps, but these, like the theatre colonnade, have been destroyed because, as Foster explains, “our strategy was a deliberate attempt to peel away some of the layers of history in order to reveal others that were more meaningful”.

Foster sweeps away the past when it does not conform to his strange belief that: “In every period the most advanced architecture has sought the most up-to-date technology as a vehicle for its expression.” But were Alberti, Bernini, Borromini, Vanbrugh, Adam or Lutyens, “advanced” architects, determined by technology? And if Greek temples were structurally advanced, why did they have more columns than they needed to support their roofs? Foster maintains that in all great buildings, “the structure is synonymous with the appearance both inside and out”, yet at Ely Cathedral the structure supporting the lantern is entirely concealed, just as at St Paul’s Cathedral the stone lantern surmounting the most harmonious dome in the world is carried by a largely concealed brick cone.

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Frankly

January 15th, 2012
12:01 PM

Overrated does not even begin to describe it all. In my view, these overhyped Contemporary architects, and their hideous monstrosities, could not serve the architectural genius Quinlan Terry breakfast.

David

September 6th, 2009
11:09 AM

At last the Emperor's lack of clothes is revealed! Foster's dreadful shed at Nimes -( cheap social housing comminity centre?) has destroyed an elegant square and offers nothing but a few pathetic and increasingly shabby scafolding poles to 'compliment' one of the finest classical building in existence. That the neo classical theatre, a building of elegance and quality-unachievable today for cost reasons -should have been demolished for Foster's egotistical and sterile scruffy shed is a scandal and a tragedy. Let us hope it can be demolished before its time is up or the paint peels off = an empty space with a few trees would be preferable in the ruined city of Nimes.

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