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A description is presented of the personality, achievements and career of architect Michael Hopkins. The criticism of his design for Portcullis House which consists of offices for members of parliament is discussed.

Willmott Dixon Design-and-Build Co-ordinator Rosemary Buchholz; Wauch Thistleton, Architectural Assistant Ayesha Nicholas and Joiner and Wood Machinist Hannah Badman talk about their jobs in the British construction industry.

Richard Rogers Partnership Ltd Founding Partner and Architect Mike Davies has worked for the partnership for 27 years. The firm were the architects for some prestigious buildings such as the Pompidou Centre, Paris, France. Davies claims he is not interested in having his own practice. The partnership is involved in designing two major UK projects, the 1.8 billion pounds sterling Terminal 5 building at Heathrow Airport and the 40 million pounds sterling Millennium Dome roof, Greenwich, London, England. Davies is known for being very enthusiastic and for always wearing red clothes.

Architect, Kim Yeang, is on the Southwark Land Regeneration team which hopes to develop the Elephant & Castle in London, England. Yeang has achieved a great deal but feels his Asian origins have been a disadvantage.

Richard Rogers Partnership Ltd Senior Director Architect Graham Stirk prefers not to have the public attention bestowed on others in the partnership. He suggests the younger architects have enabled the firm to move forward within new building constraints. Stirk has worked for the firm for 17 years and he has been a senior director for five years. Stirk has been fully involved with the design and construction of two new office buildings in the City, London, England. Stirk is known not to be confrontational but he is determined.

The competition to design the 20 million pounds sterling Museum of World Culture in Gothenburg, Sweden, was won by a married couple, Architects Cecile Brisac and Edgar Gonzalez. The building is due to be completed by 2003. The couple have been working for a number of architects whilst preparing for design competitions in their own time. They set up the own practice in 1995 and have an office in Soho, London, England. The couple have been together since 1988. They have worked in Florida, US, and in Paris, France.

Architect Mark Dziewulski has retuned to the UK after 17 years working and living in the US. He set up his own company in the US during 1986, where he worked on designing apartment buildings and a variety of commercial projects. He designed a shopping centre in Sacramento, California, which won a number of awards. Dziewulski points out working in the US has made him more aware of the financial aspects of construction. He has been willing to make an investment in a number of his own projects. Since returning to the UK Dziewulski has been awarded two residential projects.

Timothy Associates Architect Arthur Timothy maintains architecture should reflect all the different cultures in the UK. He set up successful his practice in 1986, and has been involved in projects in Ghana as well as in the UK. Timothy is going to chair the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust which will help support young black architects. The trust was set up out of money which had been raised to pay for the failed private prosecution of those involved in murdering Stephen Lawrence, in 1993. Timothy met Stephen when he was on work experience at the Timothy Associates.

The employees of the architectural firm HLM who play in the band Sweeping Up After Eric find that music is an ideal way of relieving stress. The band, which also includes one person who does not work for HLM, mirrors the relaxed, egalitarian management style of HLM. Its members are close friends who enjoy both working together and spending their leisure time together. They particularly enjoy playing 1960s music, as this influenced them greatly in their youth.