Richard Rogers

Architect Richard Rogers is perhaps best known for designing iconic structures like the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Millennium Dome and the Maggie’s Centre in London and Terminal 4 Barajas Airport, Madrid. Schooled at the Architectural Association in London and Yale School of Architecture on a Fulbright Scholarship, Rogers is one of the most sought-after architects of his generation. While most people can recognize Roger’s work, most people aren’t aware that he didn’t learn to read until he was 11 years old.

Aside from designing award-winning buildings, Rogers has authored many books. In 1995, he was the first architect invited to give the sought after and well respected BBC Reith lectures. Roger is also the recipient of the 2007 Pritzker Architecture Prize.

When asked about how he first discovered he had dyslexia, he talks about the struggles and hardships of his early life in school. “In my youth, in the 1940s, I was called stupid. Not only could I not read but I couldn’t memorize my school work. I was always at the bottom of the class. I became very depressed. When I was young, 7 or 8, I remember standing on the windowsill and saying ‘should I jump or shouldn’t I jump?’ At that time, dyslexia was not really recognized. In fact, it wasn’t until I had my first child that I realized I was dyslexic.”

Rogers also emphasizes the need to get a proper diagnosis as early as possible-- whether it’s dyslexia or another learning difficulty, as it allows children to access specialists that can help them develop individualized learning plans that create pathways to success for all learners.

Learn more about Richard’s work here [2].