Richards Rogers at Royal Academy

Until October 2013, the Royal Academy of Arts will be showing an exhibition on the the great architect Richard Rogers. Elected a Royal Academician in 1984, Rogers has been one of the world’s leading and most influential architects for the last four decades. Timed to coincide with Rogers’ 80th birthday, the exhibition examines his social, political and cultural influences and their connection to his architecture.

Italian born Rogers is known for his designs on buildings such as Centre Georges Pompidou, the Lloyd’s building, London Heathrow terminal 5 and even the Millennium Dome. His latest practice, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, is a collaboration with Graham Stirk and Ivan Harbour, previously known simple as Richard Rogers Partnership. In recognition of his work, Rogers was knighted in 1981 by Queen Elizabeth II and was created Baron Rogers of Riverside in 1996.

“I believe history judges us on the physical and social quality of our cities, and this exhibition aims to explore the role of architecture both as a physical discipline and as a framework to interpret our wider society.”
Richard Rogers

While studying at Yale, Rogers met fellow architecture student Norman Foster and planning student Su Brumwell. On returning to England he, Foster and Brumwell set up architectural practice as Team 4 with Wendy Cheeseman (Brumwell later married Rogers, Cheeseman married Foster). This partnership was more important than the projects it produced because it started two fantastic careers for whom would go on to create some of the most memorable modern buildings of the Twentieth Century.

A number of high-profile projects that incorporate Rogers’ architectural principles will be showcased in the exhibition at the Royal Academy. The Centre Pompidou, designed alongside Renzo Piano which opened in 1977, the Grade 1 listed headquarters for Lloyd’s of London, and the Bordeaux Law Courts.