The Most Amazing Buildings By Sir Norman Foster

Sir Norman Foster is one of the world’s most sought after architects. His company, Norman + Foster, has produced some of the world’s finest post-modern buildings to-date, five of which are highlighted in this ode to Foster’s finest and most unforgettable constructions.
Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

London City Hall

As one of the most important buildings raised by Foster + Partners in the past 20 years, the London City Hall was designed with democratic principals in mind. As a largely glass structure, the democratic ideals of transparency and accessibility are conveyed in the building’s innovative, oval design. Intended to maximize shading, this building uses about a quarter of the energy consumed by a standard London office building, despite playing host to over 15,000 employees. Completed in 2002, London City Hall is unquestionably one of the crown achievements of Foster + Partners.

The Gherkin Building

The Gherkin is one of London’s most distinctive skyscrapers

HSBC Building

Natural sunlight is one of Foster + Company’s most valued assets in their buildings, especially in their HSBC project in Shanghai. Completed in 1985, this building is unique in its absence of an internal supporting structure, a practice of more traditionally focused architecture. However the most notable features of this building are the two cement canons on the roof, pointed directly at the Bank of China building, in an attempt to balance the feng shui, and more precisely, the negative energy emanating from it.

The Reichstag Building

The Reichstag is the home of the German parliament

The Reichstag Building is tied to the very unification of the country back in 1871, when the first bricks were laid here. However, due to damages throughout the history of the building, a full reconstruction could not be led until after the German reunification in 1990. Foster + Partners added an iconic glass cupola to the posterior of the building, symbolizing rebirth after reunification in its capacity to provide light in the darkened interior.

Torre de Collserola

To fill a communications requirement for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Foster + Partners built the Torre de Collserola to improve the broadcasting capabilities of the entire region. To work with the mountainside terrain, the architects proposed a new hybrid concrete and steel-braced tube, limiting the diameter to only 4.5 meters. Torre de Collserola proves the architecture firm’s lasting commitment to functionality and an utmost devotion to environmental conservation besides.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.