The Freedom of the Future
A look at some of the stunning recent work of an exceptional generation of British architects born in the 1930s, led by Norman Foster and Richard Rogers.
How an exceptional generation of British architects, led by Norman Foster and Richard Rogers, conquered the globe with their high-tech vision.
The first episode includes glimpses of some of their most stunning recent work, such as London's new 'Cheesegrater' skyscraper, Spaceport America and the KK100 skyscraper in China (the tallest tower ever built by a British architect), before looking in detail at some of their revolutionary projects from the 1960s and 70s.
Foster, Rogers, Nicholas Grimshaw, Michael Hopkins and Terry Farrell were born within six years of each other in the 1930s; shaped by both the optimism of the postwar years and the sixties counterculture, these pillars of today's establishment began their careers as outsiders and radicals. Rogers and his collaborators tell the story of one of the most influential buildings of the 20th century - the Pompidou Centre in Paris - the result of a contest he didn't want to enter and no-one ever thought they would win.
Other early projects featured include Norman Foster's glassy Willis Faber & Dumas Headquarters in Ipswich, Farrell & Grimshaw's corrugated aluminium tower block next to Regent's Park in London and the industrial-style Hopkins House in Hampstead.
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Clips
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The high tech home of Michael and Patricia Hopkins
Duration: 01:55
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125 Park Road: The Sardine Can
Duration: 02:24
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The inspiration of early 60s America
Duration: 01:36
Music Played
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Jean鈥怣ichel Jarre
Oxyg猫ne Part IV
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Pantha du Prince & The Bell Laboratory
Particle
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Portico Quartet
Ruins
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The Ink Spots
I Don聮t Want To Set The World On Fire
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Enrico Caruso
Musica Proibita Op 5
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Edmundo Ros
The Festival of Britain Calypso
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Ronnie Scott
Stringin' the Jug
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Bobby Darin
Beyond The Sea
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Del Shannon
Del Shannon Runaway
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The Temptations
Get Ready
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The Shadows
The Rise And Fall Of Fingel Bunt
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Tom Dissevelt
Syncopation
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Buffalo Springfield
For What It聮s Worth
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Small Faces
Ogdens Nut Gone Flake
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Tom Dissevelt
Vibration
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Terry Riley
A Rainbow In Curved Air (Instrumental)
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Tom Dissevelt
Whirling
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Kraftwerk
Radioactivity
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Wendy Carlos
Two Part Invention In B Flat M
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Isao Tomita
Children's Corner No 4 Snowflakes Are Dancing
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Hot Butter
Popcorn
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Wendy Carlos
Allegro
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Tangerine Dream
Movements Of A Visionary
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Kraftwerk
Europe Endless
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Cerrone
Supernature
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Giorgio Moroder
Chase
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The Stranglers
(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)
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Jean鈥怣ichel Jarre
Equinoxe, Pt IV
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Jean鈥怣ichel Jarre
Oxyg猫ne Part III
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Vangelis
Spiral
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Vangelis
Heaven And Hell (Part I)
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The Bell Laboratory
Spectral Split
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Pet Shop Boys
Love Is A Bourgeois Construct
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Small Faces
Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake
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Cerrone
Supernature
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Tubeway Army
Are Friends Electric
Projects from episode 1
Find out more about the iconic buildings featured in episode 1, links to external websites.
Lord Norman Foster
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with Richard Rogers听
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听with听Michael Hopkins
Lord Richard Rogers
Sir Michael Hopkins
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Sir Nicholas Grimshaw
with Terry Farrell
Sir Terry Farrell听
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Writer | Peter Sweasey |
Director | Peter Sweasey |
Producer | Peter Sweasey |
Executive Producer | Nicolas Kent |
Broadcasts
- Thu 13 Feb 2014 21:00
- Fri 14 Feb 2014 03:00
- Mon 17 Feb 2014 23:50
- Thu 20 Apr 2017 03:00
- Wed 5 Jul 2017 00:00
- Wed 30 Jan 2019 00:00
Learn More with The Open University
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