S01 · E129

Building for Change

Arena presents a profile of Richard Rogers, one of the most original and controversial talents in architecture today. It was Rogers, together with his Italian partner RENZO PIANO , who created the spectacular Beaubourg Arts Centre in Paris. Described variously as 'art hanger', oil refinery', 'cultural colossus ' - it looks like a giant meccano set, a bizarre and brightly coloured building rising out of the heart of traditional Paris streets. It caused a furore when first unveiled, but has now brought new life to the area, and attracts as many as 50,000 visitors a day, even more than Disneyland! British architect Rogers has now returned to England to embark on even more ambitious projects - startling new home for one of Britain's oldest institutions, Lloyds of London, and a huge and much-debated scheme to enliven London's South Bank, the Coin Street Project.