Norman Foster is one of the most important architects practising in the world today. His practice, Foster + Partners, is based in London but has project offices worldwide. Since its foundation in 1967, the practice has pioneered a sustainable approach to architecture and ecology through a strikingly wide range of projects, from urban masterplans, airports, civic and cultural buildings, offices and workplaces to private houses and product design.
Foster has completed projects as diverse as the Reichstag, Berlin's new Parliament, Chek Lap Kok International Airport in Hong Kong and the Great Court at the British Museum in London. Recent work includes the Hearst Tower New York, Millau Viaduct in France and Beijing Airport. Norman Foster was appointed to the Order of Merit by the Queen in 1997. In 1999 he was honoured with a life peerage, taking the title Lord Foster of Thames Bank and won the Pritzker Architecture Prize the same year.