The headquarters of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in Hong Kong was designed by Norman Foster. This book provides a behind-the-scenes account of the commissioning, designing, construction and opening of the building. The requirement was: an outstanding building equipped with the latest technology that would capture people's imagination and respect. With construction under way, serious trouble developed on a vital sub-contract and the project almost foundered. While speculation raged in the world's press, new budgets and deadlines had to be set. Six years after Foster was commissioned the new Bank was opened. The building has been seen by some as one of the most important buildings of the 20th century. The author has had access to the files of the bank, and the management contractors and the architect have provided further information. Stephanie Williams is an architectural journalist who has written for many newspapers and journals, from "The Sunday Times" to the "Architectural Review".