STARS OF BASEL (AND LONDON)

Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron are architecture stars of the moment with this month’s opening of London’s new Tate Modern. “All famous architects have mighty egos, and Herzog is unusual only in the openness with which he displays his. If he weren’t brilliant he would be insufferable, but it isn’t unduly flattering to say that he is brilliant. His immodesty is also redeemed by a talent for collaboration with others, most notably his childhood friend and business partner de Meuron. Both are turning 50 this year. They are young – in the slow-moving world of architecture – to have got to their present status.” London Evening Standard