The most amazing lesson in aerodynamics I ever had was the day I climbed a thermal in a glider at the same time as an eagle. I witnessed, close up, effortlessness and lightness combined with strength, precision and determination.
Interpretation
The quote highlights a profound experience of observing the effortless flight of an eagle, symbolizing grace and determination in nature.
In this quote, Norman Foster reflects on an extraordinary moment when he shared the sky with an eagle while gliding. This experience allowed him to witness firsthand the harmony of strength and precision in the eagle's flight, demonstrating how nature embodies both effortlessness and determination. It serves as a reminder of the beauty and power found in the natural world, inspiring us to appreciate the lessons it can teach about resilience and grace.
In practice
During a nature documentary presentation.
We now think it hilarious that medieval streets were used as open sewers. Equally, our descendants will say: 'You won't believe this, but people were once allowed to hurl a couple of tons of dangerous metal around smashing into each other.'
As an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.
Every time I've flown an aircraft, or visited a steelworks, or watched a panel-beater at work, I've learned something new that can be applied to buildings.
Everything we design is a response to the specific climate and culture of a particular place.
It takes a lot of effort to make a building look effortless.
Architecture is an expression of values.
The sea speaks a language polite people never repeat. It is a colossal scavenger slang and has no respect.
Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young; it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart. If we are going to save environmentalism and the environment, we must also save an endangered indicator species: the child in nature.
I've always been more interested in organisms that can move on their own than in stationary plants. But when I canoe or hike along the edge of lakes or oceans and see trees that seem to be growing out of rock faces, I am blown away. How do they do it?
As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.
People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure.
Nature is always behind the age
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