Lord Norman Foster, founder and executive chair of Foster + Partners, continues to lead one of the world’s most prominent architectural firms as it marks nearly six decades since its inception. Established originally in 1967 by Foster and his late wife Wendy, the London-based practice has expanded into a global operation with 2,400 employees, including 1,300 architects, and a diverse portfolio of projects spanning continents.

Foster + Partners operates from its main studio on the banks of the River Thames at Battersea, where Foster remains actively involved in a range of projects. The firm’s work includes landmark designs such as JPMorgan’s Park Avenue skyscraper in New York and a new art gallery in Shanghai, reflecting its broad international reach. After experiencing a property downturn in the UK during the early 1990s, the practice strategically expanded overseas, with 93 percent of its revenues in 2025 coming from projects beyond the United Kingdom. The Middle East now represents its largest regional market, with significant contributions from developments like the King Salman International Airport in Riyadh.

Foster, 91, shows no intention of retiring despite the challenges of succession planning. He emphasizes the firm’s depth of talent, comparing it to a chamber orchestra that can function without a single conductor. This approach reflects the distinctive organizational structure Foster + Partners has cultivated. Unlike many other large architecture or professional services firms organized by region or specialization, Foster + Partners is divided into seven parallel studios—each working on a variety of project types and locations. Established in 2004 and recently expanded with a seventh studio, this model was designed to preserve the creativity and agility of smaller teams within a large, global firm.

Each studio maintains its own leadership and competes individually for new projects, although collaboration and joint ventures between studios are common. While some high-profile clients have worked directly with Foster himself—such as Apple’s late Steve Jobs—the studios are generally autonomous. Managing partner Stuart Latham acknowledges occasional internal tensions but insists these are resolved through dialogue. Studios now range in size from 150 to 300 people, significantly larger than when the model was first introduced.

The firm’s design board, chaired by Foster, serves as a creative oversight body but does not function as a managerial authority. This board facilitates rigorous review sessions similar to architectural school juries, fostering open critique and discussion of the firm’s work.

Innovation and diversity in design focus remain key priorities for Foster. The practice employs around 370 specialists in structural and environmental engineering, supporting its broad range of architectural endeavors. Foster himself continues to actively engage with ongoing projects worldwide, from an Alpine village regeneration to a planned tower for JPMorgan in London. The firm has recently extended its global footprint by opening new offices in Seoul and Miami.

Growth and change are ongoing themes at Foster + Partners. The recent addition of a seventh studio followed internal debates and was supported by investor backing, with Foster anticipating further expansion. This drive for renewal is also reflected in workforce demographics: the average employee age is 34, and the firm seeks to maintain a dynamic and youthful environment. Approximately half of its architects are fully qualified, with the remainder undergoing professional training.

Though based in Switzerland, Foster frequently travels to London, Madrid—where he oversees his foundation—and international offices, maintaining an active presence in the firm’s daily operations. He is regarded by colleagues as more energetic than ever, continuing to shape the direction of an architectural practice that has become a global standard-bearer in its field.