The role architecture plays in our everyday lives is astronomical, architecture
surrounds us daily. The architects behind these buildings and homes are
what we love and the following 10 architects have paved the way for
ingenious design, cutting edge innovation and have become pioneers of
our built environment. Take a look at what we think are 10 of the
greatest modern architects of our time.
1.) Frank Gehry (born 2.28.1929):
There
is no mistaking Gehry’s works, as they are the most distinctive, and
innovative architectural phenomena around. His deconstructive forms are
iconic as tourists flock to all of his buildings worldwide to marvel at
the architectural forms he creates. Named by Vanity Fair as “the most
important architect of our age”, he has set the precedence for
contemporary architecture. His ability to create spaces that manipulate
forms and surfaces is his most notable feats and we all love his unique
uses of materials that almost defy all logic in how they work together.
Frank Gehry’s – City of Wine Complex, Northern Spain
Frank Gehry – Lou Rovo Center
His
most notable projects include: The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los
Angeles, The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Der Neue Zollhof in Düsseldorf
and the Marqués de Riscal Vineyard Hotel in Elciego.
2.) Frank Lloyd Wright (born 6.8.1867):
Some
consider Frank Lloyd Wright to be the greatest architect of all time.
For he thought of interior & exterior spaces as one and was ahead of
his time in building forms, construction methods, and never went to a
formal architecture school. His humble American upbringing led him to
learning under Louis Sullivan – another legend in architecture and to
this day Wright is noted for his prairie-style buildings and organic
influences. His organic and natural forms that seemed to become one with
nature and his innovative detailing are still considered to be the best
building and design concepts, even after nearly 150 years.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s greatest works: Guggenheim, Fallingwater and more…
His
most notable projects include: The Guggenheim Museum in New York City,
New York, Fallingwater Residence in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, Arizona
State University Gammage Auditorium & Taliesin West – Wright’s home
and studio in Scottsdale, Arizona.
3.) Ieoh Ming Pei – I.M. Pei (born 4.26.1917):
The Chinese born architect came to
study
architecture in the United States as a teenager and later became one of
the greatest architects of modern architecture. Almost 80 years later
I.M. Pei’s work can be seen worldwide and are noted for their unique use
of geometric forms and incorporating Chinese influences into his work.
His National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado embodies Pei’s
iconic geometric forms and unity with natural elements in their
surroundings. Pei’s work graces some of the most prestigious government
and acclaimed sites throughout the world.
I.M. Pei’s – National Center for Atmospheric Research
I.M. Pei’s entrance to the Le Grand Louvre in Paris
Fiery on the outside: Modern home from Bates Masi Architects
I.M. Pei
His
most profound projects include: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
and Museum in Boston, The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., Le
Grand Louvre (The Pyramid) in Paris, The Bank of China Tower in Hong
Kong and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
4.) Zaha Hadid (born 10.31.1950)
The first woman architect who ever
won the Pritzker Architecture prize went to the legendary Zaha Hadid. Born in Iraq Hadid went on to
win
this iconic award which is often termed the ‘Nobel peace prize of
architecture’. Hadid’s forms are characterized as futuristic,
unconventional, daring and artistic. Many of her projects were never
built and she still was ranked on Forbes list at 69
th most
powerful women in 2008. Her beautiful buildings always leave us with our
mouths open, as if to say, “How did she design that?”
Zaha Hadid and her many works, including a mobile museum for Chanel with Karl Lagerfield
Her most noted projects are: MAXXI – the National Museum of the 21
st
Century Arts the Bridge Pavilion in Zaragoza, Bergisel Ski Jump in
Innsbruck, Phaeno Science Center and the Opera House in Guangzhou.
5.) Philip Johnson (born 7.8.1906)
Noted
as the American architect who founded the Department of Architecture
and Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Johnson’s
architectural works are easily identifiable. His glass house in
Connecticut is one of the most familiar residences with its minimal
interiors and expansive glass vistas were just one example of his use of
the material. His amazing use of glass, steel and later crystal became
his world-renowned fame. The Crystal Cathedral in California looks as
though it should be in a child’s fairytale book it is the epitome of
forward-thinking architecture that characterized Johnson’s Minimalism
and Pop-Art styles.
Philip Johnson’s private residence – The Glass House
Philip Johnson’s Crystal Cathedral
His
most notable works are the Seagram Building in New York City, in
collaboration with architect, Mies van der Rohe, Philip-Johnson-House in
Berlin, Germany, The Museum of Television of Radio & The Crystal
Cathedral in California.
6.) Tom Wright (born 9.18.1957)
Is
it possible to become one of the greatest modern architects of our time
if you are only noted for one building? When the building is the most
recognizable hotel in Dubai, yes. British architect, Tom Wright is
responsible for the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Acclaimed for its luxurious
amenities as a hotel and also one of the most recognizable buildings in
modern architecture. Noted with the world’s tallest atrium, and equipped
with its own helicopter landing pad and tallest tennis court at the
top, Tom Wright definitely deserves to join the list of great modern
architects.
Tom Wright’s Burj Al Arab in Dubai
Tom Wright’s – helipad is also the worlds highest tennis court
The atrium looking up in Burj Al Arab Hotel
-
- Tom Wright
7.) Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (born 3.27.1886)
Referred
to commonly as “Mies”, the German-American architect is termed one of
the pioneers of modern architecture along with Le Corbusier and Walter
Gropius. Mies was known for his minimalist and “less is more” approach
to architecture and his forward thinking of using plate glass and
structural steel to divide interior spaces is one of his most notable
characteristics in architecture. His innovative open floor plan concepts
were first thought of by Van der Rohe and many of his interior concepts
& furniture styles are widely used in today’s architecture and
interiors.
Mies’ – Crown Hall
Mies’ – Barcelona Pavilion
Mies Van Der Rohe – Barcelona chair is iconic in furniture design
Mies Van Der Rohe
His
most notable projects include Barcelona Pavilion, in Barcelona, Spain,
New National Gallery in Berlin, Germany, Seagram Building in New York
City and Crown Hall in Chicago, Illinois.
8.) Renzo Piano (born 9.14.1937)
The
Italian born architect was named one of Time magazine’s top 100 most
influential people in 2008. Piano who is an Italian Pritzker
prize-winning architect has been instrumental in shaping modern
architecture that stands on its own in recognition. The Shard – Europe’s
tallest skyscraper in London has faced much controversy in its
construction, but many feel it has given London a way to join the 21
stcentury.
In his younger years he worked with the world-renowned architect Louis
Kahn and soon become known for his unique applications of materials and
details.
The Shard Bridge
Piano’s Kansai International Airport
Piano’s – NEMO Science Center
Renzo Piano
Piano’s
most notable projects include: The newly opened Shard in London,
England, NEMO Science Center in Amsterdam, The New York Times building
in New York, and Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan.
9.) Jean Nouvel (born 8.12.1945)
Nouvel
is a French born architect who has won numerous prestigious awards and
honors over the years for his projects, including the Prtizker Prize in
2008. Nouvel’s most acclaimed fame came from winning the design
competition for the Arab World Institute in Paris that brought him
international fame. Mechanical lenses in the south wall open & shut
automatically and are reminiscent of Arabic latticework. The devices
control interior lighting automatically from exterior light levels.
Nouvel’s work is known worldwide and his use of innovative architectural
concepts set him apart from many modern architects today.
Nouvel’s Arab World Institute
Nouvel’s innovative use of day lighting devices in the Arab World Institute
Nouvel’s Dentsu Building
Nouvel’s master plan for Seguin Island in France
Nouvel’s
projects of note include: Arab World Institute in Paris, Denstu
Building in Tokyo, Ziaty Andel in Prague, and Gasometer A in Vienna and
Les Grandes Tables of Seguin Island in Paris.
10.) Moshe Safdie (born 7.14.1938)
Safdie
is another product of Louis Kahn’s apprenticeship that led to his
remarkable modern architecture career. Originally from Haifa, Safdie is
known for his 1967 International & Universal Exposition – Expo 67,
which was Canada’s main celebration during its centennial year, and was
deemed a remarkable cultural achievement. Safdie has been awarded with
much recognition of which the Gold Medal, from the Royal Architectural
Institute of Canada is among the finest.
Safdie’s – National Gallery of Canada
Safdie’s – Habitat 67
Safdie’s – Khalsa Heritage Memorial
Moshe Safdie
Safdie
finest projects include: The towering & glass filled – National
Gallery of Canada, Habitat 67 in Montreal, & Khalsa Heritage
Memorial in Punjab, India.
Narrowing down the top 10 architects of
modern architecture is a feat in itself, for there are thousands of
architects and designers who have paved the way for creating
awe-inspiring additions to our built environment. We would love to know
Freshome who you would add to this list, for we know that that our so
many we wish we could have included!
