Richard Rogers - Creativity and Business Success
Richard Rogers (1933- )
English architect (pictured right).
Famous for designing...
Pompidou Centre in Paris (1977).
Lloyd’s insurance building in London (1986).
Millennium Dome in London, now the O2 Arena (2000).
3 World Trade Centre, the replacement for New York’s World Trade Centre (to be completed
2018).
Why is he so creative and successful?
1. Radical change
He is known for his radical designs.
For example, his Pompidou Centre in Paris (pictured right) has often been
described as
“the building that turned architecture upside down”.
He believes that “architecture is a living thing” that:
- must constantly change, whilst
- remaining true to the principles of great architecture – see point 2.
He thinks that critics of modern architecture (like Prince Charles) are wrong.
Rogers points out that the great English architect and designer of London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral,
Christopher Wren (pictured right below), was considered modern during his lifetime.
“Architecture is measured against the past, you build in the future and you try to imagine the
future”, he says.
2. Corporate
culture
His business is based upon an architect's responsibility towards:
“contributing to the welfare of mankind, the society in which we practise and the team with whom we
work” - see point 3.
3. Social responsibility
Rogers:
- is a keen supporter of low cost housing to solve Britain’s housing crisis.
- thinks that buildings should be environmentally friendly.
- supports a carbon tax to encourage public transport and renewable energy.
“We have a responsibility to society”, he says.
4. Support and teamwork
He has great support from
- his family (wife, Ruthie, and five children) - pictured right
with Ruthie (courtesy of Rex Features).
- the other architects in his business.
He treats his employees as a family through:
a) involvement
Every Monday morning he meets with his architects to discuss current projects.
b) rewards for results
Employees have a share of the profits.
c) fairness
The highest paid architect can only be paid 8 to 9 times more than the lowest paid.
d) social events
(including Friday night drinks).
5. Passion and lifelong learning
Rogers loves learning and:
- constantly comes up with new ideas.
- believes that nothing is impossible (as his parents taught him).
- is passionate about architecture (he was inspired by his architecture degree at Yale
in 1962) -
Rogers is pictured right at Yale with another great English architect, Norman
Foster, on the left (courtesy of Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners).
6. Determination
He has had to overcome:
- dyslexia (which made his school education very difficult).
- business problems (he thought he might have to give up architecture three
times).
- family difficulties (the break up of his first marriage and the death of his
son).
Key quote on
architecture
Architecture is measured against the past, you build in the future and you try to imagine the future.
Key quote on corporate social responsibility
We have a responsibility to society.
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