Norman Foster has lamented the UK's departure from the European Union in a speech at the World Architecture Festival, adding that the diversity of nationalities found within his firm was a "cause of great celebration" in the face of Brexit.
"Across all the different disciplines, we are something like 55 per cent European, and we're 26 per cent UK, and 19 per cent in the rest of the world," said Foster.
"And for me, that is a cause of great celebration. I was sharing with my partners with only today that it's in a way always been like that."
Foster made the comments during an acceptance speech for his Contribution to Architecture award, at the gala dinner for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) awards last week in Berlin. Recalling the early days of his studio, which was founded in London in 1967, Foster said talent from Norway, Switzerland and Israeli was represented.
"In that sense, I think I've always been out of step," said Foster. "So I celebrate in the face of the madness of Brexit being out of step, and [I'm] proud to be here in Europe and celebrating the European nature of this venue."
Foster + Partners declined to comment on its staff retention plans following Brexit.
Foster + Partners, now the 14th largest practice in the world, has offices in Dubai, Madrid, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Hong Kong and New York, amongst other locations.
WAF celebrates "global nature" of architecture
During his speech, Foster a...