Richard Rogers and Norman Foster are the most celebrated British architects of the last 100 years, building around the world in glass, steel and concrete. When Rogers was awarded the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture the citation observed that he was "the rightful heir to the traditions of Wren". And the same could certainly be said of Foster.

The allusion to Wren is startling, but this lecture demonstrates that Wren might very well have recognised Rogers and Foster as kindred spirits.  

Wren transformed the London skyline, he had a restless and brilliantly inquisitive mind, and believed that progressive design would enhance the function of his buildings. All of which (and much more) also applies to Foster and Rogers.

To remind ourselves - Rogers produced buildings such as the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Lloyds building in London, Foster's portfolio includes the famous Gherkin, the Great Court at the British Museum and an amazing viaduct in southern France.