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<\/p>\nThe piece called him \u2018the great architect\u2019, \u2018Britain\u2019s best-known architect\u2019 and \u2018the nation\u2019s most remarkable architect\u2019 all in a single article marking the latest trophy to adorn his mantlepiece: the London Design Festival\u2019s Lifetime Achievement Medal. <\/p>\n
Little of what he said will come as a surprise to AJ readers \u2013 with one exception.<\/p>\n
When the conversation turned to the next generation, Foster explained that \u2018young talent is at the heart of this practice\u2019. The nonagenarian went on: \u2018I\u2019m privileged to work with contemporary colleagues and predominantly younger individuals.\u2019 <\/p>\n
Hold on one second. \u2018Predominantly?\u2019 Astragal imagined a stooped caretaker, perhaps, hailing from the early 1930s, toiling away in the basement at Fosters\u2019 Battersea HQ. Sadly, it was not to be. A spokesperson for the practice confirmed that Norman is the firm\u2019s oldest employee.<\/p>\n
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Old Trafford Stadium district for Manchester\u00a0United<\/p>\n
Man Utd win awaits a VAR check<\/p>\n
When he turned 90 earlier this summer, Foster \u2006told the AJ he had \u2018everything left to achieve\u2019. Among those prize projects on the horizon is a new 100,000-capacity arena for his hometown club, Manchester United. <\/p>\n
When Foster + Partners revealed images in March of the proposed mega-structure, the famous club\u2019s billionaire co-owner, Jim Ratcliffe, hailed it as the \u2018world\u2019s greatest football stadium\u2019. Back of the net for Foster. Or so it seemed. <\/p>\n
However, a club statement unearthed within the minutes of a fan forum held in June suggests a final deal to deliver the new ground has not yet been officially signed. <\/p>\n
\u2018Illustrative concepts [from March] were produced to help shape thinking and demonstrate the transformative potential of a new stadium,\u2019 said the document. \u2018A formal process to appoint a stadium architect is underway, and [\u2026] will be made following appropriate due diligence.\u2019<\/p>\n
Despite his Manchester roots and experience with Wembley Stadium, could Foster unexpectedly find himself on the subs bench when the action begins?<\/p>\n
What\u2019s more, doubts are emerging about whether the large tent-like structure, initially proposed<\/a> by Foster to sit as a giant umbrella above the new stadium and its surroundings, will survive as the designs evolve.<\/p>\n