Wendy Foster


Wendy Ann Foster, née Cheesman, was a British architect and co-founder of Team 4 and Foster Associates.

Private life

Wendy Cheesman's sister is Georgie Wolton, née Cheesman, who is also a qualified architect. She was the former girlfriend of Richard Rogers and later went on to marry Norman Foster in 1964. Wendy Foster died of cancer in 1989, when she was still a partner/director at Foster Associates.

Career

Team 4 was an architectural firm, established in 1963 by architecture graduates Su Rogers, Wendy Cheesman, Norman Foster and Richard Rogers. The firm originally included Wendy Cheesman's sister Georgie Wolton who, as the only qualified architect of the group, allowed the practice to function. Georgie Cheeseman left after only a few months, leaving the remaining members to try to pass their professional exams while continuing to practice.
The notable buildings that she worked on while at Team 4, includes the first ever house to win a RIBA award - Creek Vean House, Feock, Cornwall, England, Reliance Controls factory, Swindon, Jaffe House, which was Humphrey Spender's house, Maldon, Essex and Wates Housing, Coulsdon, Surrey, all in England.
By June 1967, Foster and Rogers, had both decided to dissolve the firm. The Rogers' established Richard and Su Rogers Architects and the Fosters, established Foster Associates. The notable buildings that Wendy Foster was involved in include Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Willis Faber and Dumas building, and the HSBC Building in Hong Kong.