about the book

A landmark in the history of the British Museum and one of Norman Foster's most significant projects to date, the Great Court has reclaimed and reinvigorated one of London's most important public spaces, transforming the Museum.

Published to coincide with a major retrospective of Foster's work held at the British Museum, this volume brings together essays, design drawings and photographs to provide an unprecedented account of the development and fruition of this scheme.

An introductory essay by Deyan Sudjic presents the Great Court as the culmination of centuries of change within the Museum - a reconciliation of past and future which has both restored and transfigured the heart of this public institution. Spencer de Grey, a partner at Foster and Partners, documents the design and construction of the individual elements within the Great Court and the vast glazed canopy which surmounts them.

With a preface by Norman Foster and richly illustrated with photographs of the Great Court in its spectacular finished state, this book provides an insight into the evolution of one of London’s most remarkable architectural spaces.

about the authors

Norman Foster
Graduated from Manchester University School of Architecture and City Planning in 1961 abd won Fellowship to Yale University where he gained a Masters Degree in architecture.

Spencer de Grey
He studied architecture at Cambridge University. As a student he worked on a competition entry for a new city at Espoo in Finland that was highly placed in a large entry.

Deyan Sudjic
Se formou como arquiteto em 1976 na Universidade de Edimburgo. Era diretor da Escola de Arquitetura da Universidade de Kingston e diretor do Design Museum, em Londres.

how to quote

FOSTER, Norman; GREY, Spencer de; SUDJIC, Deyan. Norman Foster and the British Museum. 1st edition, London England, Prestel Publishing, 2001.

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