The legacy of Sir Richard Rogers is not only visible in steel and glass but also inscribed in the power of narrative—a story of innovation, resilience, collaboration, and transformation that reshaped modern architecture and urbanism. His recent exhibition at the Sir John Soane’s Museum in London offered a profound glimpse into this narrative arc: a journey that redefines how we imagine the relationship between design, society, and identity.
Using The Power of Your Story framework, we can trace how Rogers deliberately constructed his life story—facing challenges, making pivotal choices, cultivating allies, and ultimately transforming the architectural world while inspiring successive generations.
The Invitation: Responding to a Vision Beyond Convention
Richard Rogers’ invitation came first as a call to rethink architecture not as isolated monuments but as integrated, sustainable environments. Raised in Florence and then London, Rogers was drawn to modernist ideals but equally aware of the social impact of design. Early on, he was invited by the questions of how buildings could serve people rather than just themselves, and how cities could become open, flexible, democratic spaces.
This invitation pushed Rogers beyond traditional architectural boundaries: to innovate with technology, transparency, and public engagement. The Sir John Soane’s Museum exhibition reflects this core call—showing sketches, models, and stories that reveal his commitment to humanizing architecture and urban life.
The Choice: Building a Legacy of Innovation
Rogers’ defining choice was to embrace collaboration and experimentation while steadfastly focusing on sustainability and inclusivity. From the Pompidou Centre in Paris to London’s Lloyd’s Building and Millennium Dome, he chose projects that challenged norms and introduced radical transparency through exposed structures and flexible spaces.
His choice to work with partners like Renzo Piano, and to found Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, was fundamental to expanding his vision beyond individual ego to collective creativity. This is an essential component of story power: choosing to create not only a personal legacy but a ripple that influences communities and disciplines.
The Challenge: Navigating Controversy and Complexity
Rogers’ narrative is marked by complex challenges—technical, political, and cultural. Innovative designs like the Pompidou faced criticism for their boldness and visibility; the Millennium Dome was met with public skepticism. Yet Rogers met these challenges with resilience and vision, seeing critique as part of a dynamic story rather than a stopping point.
The Sir John Soane’s Museum exhibition presents these tensions clearly—celebrating Rogers’ ability to withstand public debate while pushing forward ambitious projects that have reshaped cityscapes worldwide. The message: challenges refine narrative clarity and strengthen resolve.
Allies: The Network of Creativity and Support
Collaboration was central to Rogers’ story. His partnerships with architects, engineers, clients, and communities created a circle of trust and innovation. The exhibition highlights these alliances through archival materials and personal testimonies.
Rogers’ ability to nurture collaborative environments inspired those around him, reinforcing a powerful lesson: every story thrives on the strength of its allies, who help to navigate uncertainties and expand creative horizons.
Transformation: Redefining Architecture’s Role in Society
Transformation in Rogers’ story is both personal and systemic. Architecturally, his work transformed city skylines, pioneering “inside-out” designs that celebrated structure and function. Socially, he advocated for more inclusive, sustainable urban spaces.
The museum exhibition captures this profound transformation with immersive displays of drawings, photos, and models that reveal a lifetime’s work evolving towards holistic design principles that blend aesthetics, function, and social conscience.
Legacy: Inspiring Future Generations to Tell Their Stories
Richard Rogers’ legacy is a public gift: a call to embrace innovation, complexity, and community in the stories we build and inhabit. His architectural “elixir” teaches creatives and entrepreneurs to cultivate narratives that serve others while remaining visionary.
The Sir John Soane’s Museum exhibition does more than celebrate achievements; it urges visitors to reconsider the stories they tell about cities, structures, and themselves. Rogers’ story powerfully reminds us that narrative is a force for transformation on every scale.
Lessons from Richard Rogers through the Lens of Your Story Power
- Listen to Your Invitation: Rogers answered a visionary call to reshape architecture’s social role—what larger purpose invites you?
- Make Bold Choices: His refusal to accept tradition narrowly shaped his innovative legacy—what bold choice defines your path?
- Embrace Challenge: Navigating controversy refined Rogers’ resolve—how do you face and learn from opposition?
- Cultivate Allies: Collaboration fueled Rogers’ creativity—who strengthens your story?
- Lead Transformation: Change is holistic and ongoing—how is your story evolving systems or communities?
- Craft Your Legacy: Legacy is shared impact—what gifts will your story offer others?
Walking Richard Rogers’ London: A Reflective Story Tour with Timeline
Explore London through the sites that shaped and reflect Rogers’ architectural journey.
10:00 AM — Sir John Soane’s Museum (13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields)
Begin at the exhibition celebrating Rogers’ work. Spend 90 minutes absorbing the displays, reflecting: What visionary invitations shape my own story?
11:30 AM — Walk to Lloyd’s Building (1 Lime Street)
A 25-minute walk leads to this iconic “inside-out” building in the heart of the City of London. Spend 60 minutes exploring (externally or via scheduled tour). Reflect: What bold designs or ideas do I embody in my work or life?
12:30 PM — Lunch Break
Enjoy a 60-minute lunch near St. Paul’s or Leadenhall Market, the latter close to Rogers’ urban projects.
1:30 PM — Tate Modern (Bankside, London)
Take a 30-minute trip (walk or tube) to Tate Modern, housed in a repurposed power station reflecting adaptive reuse philosophies Rogers championed. Spend 45 minutes considering transformation themes. Ask: How does renewal manifest in my story?
2:45 PM — Walk along South Bank and Millennium Bridge
Take a 45-minute walk along the South Bank, crossing the Millennium Bridge (though designed by Foster, the area embodies shared visions for London’s urban fabric). Reflect on public space and connectivity.
3:30 PM — The Royal Festival Hall and Southbank Centre
Spend 30 minutes in these cultural hubs that reflect collaborative and public uses of space. Contemplate: How can my story foster connection and community?
4:00 PM — Walk or Tube to Design Studios or Galleries Inspired by Rogers’ Ideas
Visit nearby design hubs or exhibitions showcasing Rogers-inspired innovation.
4:30 PM — End at Battersea Power Station or adjacent redevelopment
Conclude at this site embodying regeneration and urban vision. Reflect: How can my story contribute to regeneration or renewal in my field or life?
Invitation to Craft Your Own Story
Peter de Kuster offers tailored storytelling coaching for creative leaders:
- Online Story Coaching: Three focused sessions for €495 (excl. VAT) to unlock your narrative power remotely.
- One-Day London Story Tour: Explore London’s architectural landmarks with Peter de Kuster for €995 per person (max 4 travelers), merging site visits with transformative storytelling coaching in an intensive day experience.
Harness the power of your story to shape your creative future.
Your Tour Guide
Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project, a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.
Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing, MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.
The Hero's Journey in London 