5 minutes with Stuart Latham

Stuart Latham joined Foster + Partners as an architect in 1993 and has worked on projects around the world, from Singapore to Abu Dhabi. He has been heading up the practice’s Management Group since 2015 and was appointed as Managing Partner in 2023, developing the business direction and leading future growth.

Stuart tells us about living in Hong Kong and Singapore, working on Canary Wharf Underground Station, and his 2024 highlights. 

Earliest memory at Foster + Partners

Being interviewed by David Nelson [Head of Design] in our London office. Back then, all interviews took place after 6pm, at the end of the working day!

I joined the practice in April 1993, after finishing my studies at Leicester Polytechnic. During my time at university, I took part in an exchange programme in the States and was lucky enough to work on a project with NASA. I suspect that helped me get the job – it was something slightly different!

A standout project

Canary Wharf Underground Station in London – my first project at Foster + Partners.

I worked on the station for about three years – attending meetings with the client and consultants – and working from a portacabin on site during the construction phase. It was an amazing first insight into life at the practice.

This experience allowed me to move to Hong Kong in June 1996 – and join the team working on the metro line that connects the airport with the city. The airport building is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, which necessitated the design and construction of new mainland road and rail links. Incredibly, it only takes 20 minutes to get from the city centre to the airport by train.

A source of inspiration

The talented people who work here – their passion and enthusiasm for learning is unmatched. 

A mentor

I’ve worked with quite a few of my colleagues for over thirty years now!

Gerard Evenden [Head of Studio] has always been very supportive. We’ve worked on many projects together, from Florence High Speed Rail Station to the World Trade Center Souk in Abu Dhabi.

Where do you call home?

I grew up in West London – close to the River Thames – so there’s something quite special about working on the same stretch of water in Battersea.

I feel a real affinity to the river and London.

A hidden gem in your neighbourhood

Every morning and evening I drive through Stockbridge, which is one of the smallest towns in the UK.

It’s magical at this time of year with the Christmas decorations up.

A city we should learn from

I’ve lived in Hong Kong and Singapore – and I think we can learn a lot from both cities.

Hong Kong is urban and frenetic but remains well connected with nature.

Singapore is clean and walkable with amazing public transport connections, which makes it a pleasure to explore.

I also have fond memories of motorbiking from Singapore to Malaysia to play golf!

A favourite building 

I recently visited ExCel London with my son to see an exhibition. Afterwards, he asked me if we could stop by Canary Wharf Underground Station together to look at the building.

It felt like quite a full circle moment.

Your 2024 highlights

It’s really been another incredible year for the practice. There are too many highlights to mention them all, but I’ll try to name a few…

We opened two new offices – on the 44^th floor of the Varso Tower in Warsaw and within Seoul’s famous Jongno District – to support and develop our work in these parts of the world. We’ve also completed 24 projects in 10 different countries, from Apple’s first store in Malaysia to the restoration of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid Center in San Francisco.

I’m excited for what the next twelve months will bring, as we continue to build on these achievements and embrace new challenges.