Alchemy of Building

Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron were awarded the 2001 Pritzker Prize, their profession's highest honour, for combining "the artistry of an age-old profession with the fresh approach of a new century's technical capabilities". For twenty years they have been at the cutting edge of architectural solutions - from a modest switching station for trains to a strikingly innovative approach to the design of a winery. Their highest profile commission to date was the conversion of London's giant Bankside power station into the Tate Modern. Visiting examples of Herzog and de Meuron's ground-breaking style in Europe and Japan, this film reflects their capacity to astonish; their approach to architecture; their design dialogue; the way their strengths and weaknesses complement each other; and their collaborations with others, particularly artists, giving a fascinating insight into the potential of modern architecture.