This collection, based on the Back to Basics Archive Gallery at the Norman Foster Foundation, delves into projects which learn from local materiality and otherwise anonymous building traditions in order to create strong visual and social relationships with the communities they serve. Early in his architectural education, Norman Foster distinguished himself by studying local structures rather than limiting himself to the established architectural canon of the time.

· Post Mill at Bourne, 1958

· Sierra Leone School, Sierra Leone, 2009 

· Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux, France, 2009-2015

· Maggie's Centre, Manchester, UK, 2013-2016

· Kulm Eispavilion, St. Moritz, Switzerland, 2015-2016

· Vatican Pavilion, Biennale Architettura, Venice, Italy, 2018

Process Drawing, Chateau Margaux

Model, Maggie's Centre

Process Drawing, Sierra Leone School

'Back to Basics' explores projects which learn from local materiality and otherwise anonymous buliding traditions in order to create strong visual and social relationships with the communities they serve. From traditional the fusion of traditional Swiss woodworking with computer assisted milling at the Kulm Eispavilion to the flexible modular scheme intedned for the Sierra Leone School, construction techniques for these buildings reflect both the cultural influences and programmatic requirements of each site. 

The structure of Maggie's Centre in Manchester and the process drawings for Chateau Margaux demonstrate a continued exploration of the creative possibilities of structure seen in earlier projects such as Stansted Airport's structural trees. In the case of Maggie's Centre, the manifestation of complex structure in wood brings warmth and comfort to visitors undergoing cancer treatment. Alternately, many process models for the trusses of Chateau Margaux seek a flexible glass and steel interior optimal for wine production. The process drawings show the way the resulting structure compliments its surroundings by adopting the same roof pitch and terracotta tiles of the neighbouring eighteenth century structures.

For the Vatican Pavilion, wood once again serves as a mediator between a complex structural system and the desired experience of the structure. The process models for the chapel show the wooden latticework of the structure which is supported internally by a "tensegrity" steel mast and cable system. The choice of materiality reflects the surrounding forest on the island of San Giorgio, while the larch slats further filter sunlight and create a warm, meditative interior.