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The Politics of Power

A look at the period from the late 90s to the present day, when the architects were at the peak of their success but also faced some huge controversies.

Series looking at how an exceptional generation of British architects, led by Norman Foster and Richard Rogers, conquered the globe with their high-tech vision.

The final episode focuses on the period from the late 90s to the present day, when they were at the peak of their success - building iconic landmarks across Britain and the world - but also faced some of the biggest controversies of their careers. Rogers reveals what went wrong with the Millennium Dome, Foster recalls the wobbles of London's Millennium Bridge and Michael Hopkins explains how his new parliamentary building, Portcullis House, became the most expensive office block in Britain.

Also featured are the stories behind some of Britain's most popular modern architecture - Nicholas Grimshaw's Eden Project and Foster's 'Gherkin' - and a look at this generation's success overseas, including Terry Farrell's success in China.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 13 Feb 2019 00:30

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Goldfrapp

    Utopia

  • 00:05

    Fatboy Slim

    Right Here, Right Now

  • Underworld

    8 Ball

  • Leftfield

    Rhino's Prayer

  • Kylie Minogue

    The One

  • Lemon Jelly

    In The Bath

  • Air

    le Voyage De Penelope

  • Mylo

    Emotion 98.6

  • Fragile State

    Undercurrent

  • Moby

    Rushing

  • The Chemical Brothers

    The Sunshine Underground

  • 00:21

    Moby

    God Moving Over The Face Of The Waters

  • Moby

    Porcerlain

  • Leftfield

    El Cid

  • Fragile State

    Every Day A Story

  • Air

    Electronic Performers

  • Röyksopp

    In Space

  • Boards of Canada

    Roygbiv

  • Pet Shop Boys

    Home and Dry

  • Mylo

    Valley of the Dolls

  • Fischerspooner

    Emerge

  • Underworld

    MMM Skyscraper I Love You

  • Underworld

    Glam Bucket

  • Pantha du Prince

    Particle

  • 00:47

    The Chemical Brothers

    Surface to Air

  • Fairmont

    Gazebo

  • Röyksopp

    So Easy

  • Gold Panda

    S950

  • Pet Shop Boys

    This Used To Be The Future

Credits

Role Contributor
Writer Peter Sweasey
Director Peter Sweasey
Producer Peter Sweasey
Executive Producer Nicolas Kent

Broadcasts

Learn More with The Open University

Learn More with The Open University

Building Stories: Meet the architects behind some of Britain's most iconic buildings

Programmes on post-war architecture

Programmes on post-war architecture

A collection of programmes examining the triumphs and failures of post-war architecture.