Richard Rogers: the architect, the founder of high-tech and just a dreamer

From our article you will find out where the style came from.hi-tech, who built the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, why it is fashionable not to hide pipes and, finally, who is Richard Rogers tech. Richard Rogers spent his early childhood in Florence, then moved with his family to the UK. At 22, he began studying at the most famous architectural school in the capital, where he learned the basics from such important personalities as James Sterling and Peter Smithson. The scholarship allowed the young architect to travel to America to continue his studies, now at Yale University. It was there that he found a friend and a close-minded person - Norman Foster, and was also inspired by the scale of construction and the endless possibilities of American architecture. In 1963, upon his return to London, Rogers andFoster, along with his wives, organized the architectural bureau "Team 4". The magnificent four mainly engaged in the design of private houses. The team lasted only 4 years, but it was at this time that critics characterized their joint work as high-tech. After some time, Rogers began a jointwork with the Italian architect Renzo Piano. The main result of their partnership was the Pompidou Center in Paris, which shocks the public with its unusual appearance. The museum opened its doors to visitors in 1977. Despite harsh criticism, over time it became an icon of modern Parisian architecture and a major high-tech building. This is the clearest example of Rogers' signature style, where the interior of the building is clean and simple, and the exterior is a complex mechanical composition. To free up the inner space of the CenterPompidou, intended for exhibition halls, the architects made a bold decision to put all communications and elevators on the facade. Pay attention to the bright colors: Rogers has a special passion for them. Subsequently, this became one of the characteristic features of the high-tech style: unsightly technical elements stopped hiding, they began to be taken out, painted and made to decorate the building. Here are some more distinctive features of this style: the use of high technology, flexible floor plans, emphasis on functionality, minimal decor, straight lines, simple shapes and artificial materials. From an aesthetic point of view, this is a rather tough style. Cities are the frame of society, the heart of our culture.

Richard Rogers Another "monster" with entrailsoutside, designed by Rogers, is the 1986 Lloyd’s office building in London's financial center. This is a real masterpiece and - with such a futuristic appearance - almost the main attraction of the city. On the occasion of the celebration of the millennium the British createdexhibition complex "Dome of the Millennium" on the banks of the Thames. An immense flying saucer with antennae sticking out in all directions - when looking at it, first of all, such associations arise. Due to the fact that the project did not meet expectations, being unprofitable, it had to be closed. At present, the dome has become part of the entertainment complex. Design of the 4th terminal at the Madrid airportBarajas was praised for its architectural clarity and transparency: in 2006 the design won the Sterling Prize. The terminal occupies a huge area. These are whole labyrinths. But everything is designed so clearly that you will never get lost there. Richard Rogers is already 81 years old, but in spite ofsuch an amount of lived years, that's what he says about himself: "Of course, I know very little about architecture. And the older I get, the less I know. " Now he continues to design the building, since 1977 he headed his company Rogers Stirk Harbor + Partners. In addition, he conducts active lecture and teaching activities.