Architecture is arguably the very fabric that clads our society. The men and women behind these creations are often nameless and unknown, and the average person often goes their entire lives without knowing exactly who is responsible for shaping their day to day quality of life.
However, once in a while, one of these creators will stand out as a true master of their craft, becoming famous for what they do. Famous architects yield influence, inspire their peers, shape the architecture of the world, and of course, can amass a lot of wealth that comes with the fame.
This article will take a look at some of the most famous and influential architects in the world and their legacies.
What does it mean to be famous?
Being famous means being known, appreciated (or disliked!) and recognized by many people. A famous person is a person that is either held in esteem by people for a good reason, or is notorious or well known for their bad qualities, in which case the person will be said to be infamous.
Being famous generally refers to being well-known and widely recognized (or disliked!) by many people. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as through notable achievements or contributions in a particular field, through celebrity status or public notoriety, or through the widespread popularity of one’s work or ideas.
Being famous often brings with it certain privileges and opportunities, such as increased visibility and access to resources, but it can also bring challenges and drawbacks, such as a lack of privacy and the need to constantly be in the public eye.
Ultimately, being famous means that one has achieved a level of recognition and notoriety that sets them apart from others in their field or in society at large.
What is a famous architect?
Famous architects are architects that have stood out from their peers for one reason or another. Their claim to fame could be their unique personalities, their portfolio of interesting projects, the fact that they are public figures, or some specific professional achievements that they may have.
Man has always built and shaped his environment. And as long as man has been building, there have been architects. As the quality of built environment evolved, so did the public’s appreciation for good design and function, and it was of course (in most cases) the architects overseeing them who were responsible.
These were architects who were celebrated for being good, innovative, or different in what they did. Today, we call them “star architects”, because their fame and celebrity is akin to that of movie/music stars.
The most famous architects in history come from all over the world. They include both historical architects who designed buildings that have long outlived them and stood the test of time, to the more modern architects that are redefining architecture as we know it every day.
Who are the most famous architects?
Throughout history, there have been many architects who have made significant contributions to the field of architecture and have left a lasting impact on the built environment. These architects have been recognized and celebrated for their innovative designs and their ability to create structures that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and in harmony with their surroundings.
In this list, we will take a look at some of the most famous architects of our time and explore their contributions to the field, their most notable works, and the ways in which their ideas and designs continue to influence the world of architecture today.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the list of the most famous architects in history.
Zaha Hadid
Dame Zaha Hadid was a highly acclaimed architect and founder of Zaha Hadid Architects. She was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004 and the Stirling Prize in 2010 and 2011. Hadid studied mathematics at the American University of Beirut before attending the Architectural Association School in London, where she received the Diploma Prize in 1977.
She later became a partner at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) and taught at the Architectural Association alongside OMA colleagues Rem Koolhaas and Elia Zenghelis.
Hadid’s work was known for its dynamic and innovative designs, which were the result of over 30 years of research in urbanism, architecture, and design. She was interested in the intersection of architecture, landscape, and geology, and her projects often incorporated natural topography and human-made systems, as well as cutting-edge technologies.
Her contributions to the field of architecture have been recognized by numerous institutions, including Forbes’ list of the “World’s Most Powerful Women” and TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2012. She was also awarded the “Praemium Imperiale” by the Japan Art Association, cementing her status as one of the most famous architects of our time.
Frank Gehry
Frank Gehry is a Jewish architect born in Canada and currently based in Los Angeles, California. He founded his architectural practice in 1962 and established Gehry Partners, LLP in 2001. Gehry’s firm uses Digital Project, a 3D computer modeling program originally developed for the aerospace industry, to document designs and streamline the bidding, fabrication, and construction processes.
Some of his most notable buildings, such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles; and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, France, have become world-renowned tourist attractions.
Gehry’s works have been recognized as some of the most important examples of contemporary architecture in the 2010 World Architecture Survey and have earned him the reputation of being “the most important architect of our age” according to Vanity Fair.
Rem Koolhaas
Rem Koolhaas is a Dutch architect, urbanist, and Professor in Practice of Architecture and Urban Design at Harvard University. He studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London and Cornell University in New York and is the founding partner of OMA and its research-oriented counterpart AMO.
Koolhaas first gained recognition with OMA, the architectural firm he founded in 1975 with Elia Zenghelis, Zoe Zenghelis, and Madelon Vriesendorp (his wife). In 2000, he won the Pritzker Prize and was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2008.
OMA is known for large-scale projects such as the CCTV Headquarters (named the “Best Tall Building in the World” in 2013) and the Seattle Library, which is considered one of the most important buildings of the 21st century.
OMA is also known for cultivating architectural talent and innovation, having nurtured some of the world’s most renowned designers, including Zaha Hadid, Joshua Prince Ramus, Bjarke Ingels, and Jeanne Gang.
Carme Pigem
Carme Pigem is a Spanish architect and co-founder of RCR Arquitectes, an architecture firm based in Olot, Spain. She was born on December 29, 1954 in Olot, Spain and received her Bachelor of Architecture from the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona in 1979.
After graduation, Pigem worked for several architecture firms in Spain before establishing RCR Arquitectes with fellow architects Rafael Aranda and Ramon Vilalta in 1988.
Pigem is known for her focus on sustainability and the use of natural materials in her designs. Some of her notable projects include the Soulages Museum in France, the Aranya Art Center in China, and the Bell-Lloc Winery in Spain.
In 2017, Pigem was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, which she shared with Aranda and Vilalta. She is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and has taught at several universities, including the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
Richard Rogers
Richard Rogers is a highly acclaimed architect who has received numerous accolades for his work. He is the recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the RIBA Gold Medal, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Medal, the Praemium Imperiale Prize for Architecture, the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, and the Tau Sigma Delta Gold Medal, among others.
Rogers has also been recognized by the French government, receiving the Légion d’Honneur in 1986 and being knighted in 1991. He was later made a life peer in 1996.
One of Rogers’s key areas of focus is the idea of the piazza, or public square. He believes that cities are made up of people, not just buildings, and that the spaces between buildings are just as important as the buildings themselves.
For Rogers, cities are like stages where people perform, and buildings are like sets that frame the performance. In his work, Rogers emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the integration of different disciplines, from sociology to mathematics, engineering to philosophy, in order to create solutions that serve the modern world and symbolize its ethos.
Rogers believes that no one person can solve the complexities of architecture on their own, and that an enlightened client is integral to the success of a project.
Kengo Kuma
Kengo Kuma is a Japanese architect known for his focus on tradition and innovation in design. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo and later pursued further education at Columbia University in New York. In 1987, he founded the Spatial Design Studio, and in 1990 he established his own firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Kuma has taught at several universities, including Columbia, the University of Illinois, and Keio University, where he received his Ph.D. in architecture. He currently serves as a professor at the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Tokyo, where he leads research projects related to architecture, urban design, and materiality through his laboratory, Kuma Lab.
Kuma’s work incorporates the manipulation of light and materiality with nature, and he is known for his projects such as the Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo, the Bamboo Wall House in China, the LVMH Group’s Japan headquarters, the Besançon Art Center in France, and the Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay spa in the Caribbean.
Kuma has received numerous awards for his work, including the Architectural Institute of Japan Award in 1997 and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France in 2009. His book “Anti-Object: The Dissolution and Disintegration of Architecture” advocates for an architecture that respects its surroundings rather than dominating them.
Kazuyo Sejima
Kazuyo Sejima is a Japanese architect and co-founder of the architecture firm SANAA. She was born on October 29, 1956 in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan and received her Bachelor of Architecture from Japan Women’s University in 1979. After graduation, Sejima worked for several architecture firms in Japan before establishing SANAA with fellow architect Ryue Nishizawa in 1995.
Sejima is known for her minimalist designs, which often feature clean lines, simple forms, and a focus on the use of light and space. Some of her notable projects include the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City, the Louvre-Lens museum in France, and the Rolex Learning Center in Switzerland.
Sejima has received numerous awards for her work, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2010, which she shared with Nishizawa. She is a Fellow of the Japan Institute of Architects and has taught at several universities, including the University of Tokyo and Yale University.
Peter Zumthor
Peter Zumthor is a Swiss architect known for his minimalist and sensory approach to design. He was born in 1943 in Basel and apprenticed as a carpenter before studying industrial design and architecture at the Pratt Institute in New York.
He later worked as a conservationist architect for the preservation of monuments in the canton of Graubünden, and in 1979, he founded his own architecture firm.
Throughout his career, Zumthor has taught at various universities and is known for his work on projects such as the Kunsthaus Bregenz, the thermal baths in Vals, Switzerland, the Swiss Pavilion for Expo 2000, the Kolumba Diocesan Museum, and the Bruder Klaus Field Chapel. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including the Pritzker Prize in 2009 and the RIBA Royal Gold Medal in 2013.
Zumthor currently runs a small studio with around 30 employees in Haldenstein, Switzerland.
Norman Foster
Lord Norman Foster, winner of the 21st Pritzker Architecture Prize, was born in Manchester and received his Master’s degree in Architecture from Yale University. In 1963, he co-founded Team 4 and in 1967, he established Foster Associates, now known as Foster + Partners.
The company, based in London, has project offices in over 20 countries and has completed a diverse range of projects including urban master plans, public infrastructure, airports, cultural and civic buildings, offices, and private homes.
Foster + Partners has received over 470 awards and citations for excellence and has won more than 86 international and national competitions. Foster is widely recognized as one of the world’s most famous architects.
Bjarke Ingels
Bjarke Ingels is a Danish architect and the head of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), a renowned architectural practice known for its innovative and ambitious design approach. Ingels is known for his unconventional approach to architecture, often incorporating sustainable development and sociological concepts into his designs while also striving to find a balance between playfulness and practicality.
At the core of his philosophy is the belief that architecture can effectively address contemporary challenges by venturing into uncharted territories and creating a pragmatic utopian architecture that avoids the limitations of mundane boxes and overly idealistic digital formalism.
Through the use of programmatic alchemy, Ingels creates architecture by combining elements such as living, leisure, work, parking, and shopping, making him a highly influential and famous architect.
Elizabeth Diller
Elizabeth Diller is an American architect and co-founder of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, an architecture and design firm based in New York City. She was born on August 10, 1954 in New York City and received her Bachelor of Architecture from the Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture in 1979.
After graduation, Diller worked for several architecture firms in New York before establishing Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Ricardo Scofidio in 1979.
Diller is known for her innovative and unconventional designs, which often incorporate elements of performance and media. Some of her notable projects include the High Line in New York City, the Broad museum in Los Angeles, and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York.
Diller has received numerous awards for her work, including the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship in 1999 and the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2021, which she shared with Scofidio. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and has taught at several universities, including Yale University and Columbia University.
Jacques Herzog & Pierre De Meuron
Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron are two renowned Swiss architects who founded their architectural practice, Herzog & de Meuron, in 1978. They have received numerous accolades for their work, including the Pritzker Prize, the Stirling Prize, and the RIBA Royal Gold Medal.
Their projects range from small-scale private homes to large-scale urban design and include both public facilities like stadiums and museums, as well as private projects like apartment buildings, offices, and factories.
Both Herzog and de Meuron studied architecture at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) and have taught at various institutions, including Harvard University and ETH Zürich. Their unique approach to architecture, combining sustainability, innovation, and a focus on the social aspect of design, has made them some of the most famous architects in the world.
Tadao Ando
Tadao Ando is a Japanese architect known for his use of large, unadorned concrete walls, wooden or stone floors, and large windows in his designs. He also incorporates natural elements like sun, rain, and wind into his buildings.
Some of his notable works include the Row House in Sumiyoshi, Osaka, the Church of the Light in Osaka, the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts in St. Louis, the Armani Teatro in Milan, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in Tokyo.
Ando has received numerous awards for his work, including the Gold Medal of Architecture from the French Academy of Architecture, the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects, and the Gold Medal of the Union Internationale des Architectes.
He has served as a visiting professor at several prestigious universities, including Yale, Columbia, UC Berkeley, and Harvard, and is an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
Jean Nouvel
Jean Nouvel is a renowned French architect known for his innovative designs and use of cutting-edge technology. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and co-founded Mars 1976 and Syndicat de l’Architecture.
Nouvel has received numerous awards for his work, including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Wolf Prize in Arts, and the prestigious Pritzker Prize. One of his most famous projects is the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, which features a south wall with mechanical lenses that open and close to control interior lighting.
Nouvel’s architectural practice, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, has offices in Paris, Rome, Geneva, Madrid, and Barcelona, and employs 140 people in the main office in Paris.
Shigeru Ban
Shigeru Ban is a Japanese architect who is renowned for his innovative use of paper, particularly recycled cardboard tubes, to create temporary housing for disaster victims. He is often described as an “invisible structure” architect, as he prefers to incorporate structural elements into his designs rather than making them overtly visible.
Ban is known for his dedication to humanitarian efforts and has received numerous awards for his work, including the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2014. He is also recognized as an influential figure in the field of architecture and design, and has taught at various universities around the world.
Annabelle Selldorf
Annabelle Selldorf is a German-born American architect and founder of Selldorf Architects, an architecture and design firm based in New York City. She was born on April 14, 1962 in Düsseldorf, Germany and received her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Applied Sciences in Münster in 1986.
After graduation, Selldorf worked for several architecture firms in Germany before moving to New York in 1988 to work for Richard Meier & Partners.
In 1988, Selldorf founded Selldorf Architects, which has since become known for its modernist designs and attention to detail. Some of the firm’s notable projects include the Neue Galerie New York, the Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts, and the David Zwirner Gallery in New York.
Selldorf has received numerous awards for her work, including the American Institute of Architects’ National Honor Award in 2017 and the Women in Architecture Award from the Architectural Review in 2018. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and has taught at several universities, including Yale University and Columbia University.
Steven Holl
Steven Holl is an American architect known for his ability to blend space and light with great sensitivity to context, and for his concept-driven designs that seamlessly integrate new projects into culturally and historically significant contexts. Born in 1947 in Bremerton, Washington, Holl studied architecture in Rome and later at the Architectural Association in London.
He founded Steven Holl Architects in New York City in 1976. Throughout his career, Holl has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and prizes, including the AIA Gold Medal, the RIBA Jencks Award, the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards Arts Award, and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum’s National Design Award in Architecture.
He has also been named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and received the Grande Médaille d’Or from France’s Academy of Architecture.
Toyo Ito
Toyo Ito is known for creating conceptual architecture that expresses the physical and virtual worlds. He has been recognized as a leading architect in addressing the contemporary concept of a simulated city and has received numerous awards, including the Pritzker Prize in 2013.
He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo and started his own studio, Toyo Ito & Associates, in 1979. Some of his notable projects include the White U and Silver Hut private houses, the Tower of Winds and Egg of Winds interactive landmarks, and the Sendai Mediatheque, which is recognized for its innovative use of steel tubes.
Ito is also a professor at Keio University.
World famous architects (the best architects of all time)
Although it is difficult to name the world’s single greatest architect, there are several master architects who are arguably strong contenders for the title. Here are some of the best architects of all time:
Some of the most well-known and influential architects in history have left their mark on buildings and structures all over the world. From the modernist designs of Alvar Aalto to the functionalist approach of Le Corbusier, these architects have shaped the way we think about and experience architecture.
Their styles are distinct and recognizable, and their creations often reflect the values and trends of their time.
Whether you appreciate their work or not, these world famous architects have made a significant impact on the field of architecture. The below list features some of the most famous architects and their works in history:
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright is widely regarded as one of the most famous architects of the modern era. Along with Louis Henri Sullivan, his mentor, Wright helped shape a distinctively American architecture. He was a proponent of the Prairie School of architecture, which emphasized horizontal lines to blend with the landscape and is exemplified by the Robie House in Chicago, built in 1910.
Wright also developed the concept of organic architecture, which involves using structure and materials to integrate designs with nature and the surrounding environment.
Wright faced scandal in 1909 when he left his wife and family for his mistress, but his career eventually recovered. Some of his notable works include Fallingwater, a home built over a waterfall in southwestern Pennsylvania, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, which features a rising spiral walkway rather than traditional floors.
César Pelli
César Pelli was an Argentine-American architect best known for designing some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers and iconic buildings. Born in 1926 in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, Pelli received his architectural degree from the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán before moving to the United States to study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
He then worked for the firm of Eero Saarinen before starting his own practice in 1977.
Pelli’s designs are characterized by their sleek, modernist style and use of materials such as glass and steel. Some of his most famous buildings include the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (the tallest building in the world from 1998 to 2004), the International Finance Centre in Hong Kong, and the Carnegie Hall Tower in New York City.
He also designed a number of cultural and civic buildings, including the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles and the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo, Norway.
Pelli received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the AIA Gold Medal in 1995 and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2007. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 92.
Louis Kahn
Louis Kahn was a world-renowned architect who was born in Estonia in 1901. He is known for his contributions to modernist architecture and his use of materials such as concrete, brick, and steel. One of his most famous works is the National Assembly Building in Bangladesh, which is considered a masterpiece of 20th century architecture.
Kahn’s designs were often inspired by ancient and classical architecture, incorporating elements such as columns and arches into his buildings. He was also known for his attention to detail and his belief in the importance of light in architecture.
Despite his many accolades and successful projects, Kahn struggled with financial issues throughout his career and died in 1974, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and timeless design.
Le Corbusier
Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier, was a Swiss-French architect who made significant contributions to 20th century architecture. Along with painter Amédée Ozenfant, he founded the publication “L’Esprit Nouveau” in 1920, writing under pseudonyms. Le Corbusier was a pioneer of functionalism, rejecting ornate decorations in favor of modern materials such as concrete and steel.
He is particularly well-known for his houses and played a key role in the development of the International Style of architecture.
Le Corbusier’s designs featured open floor plans and column supports that allowed for walls that were independent of the structure. He often placed his buildings on stilts, and incorporated flat roofs with gardens. He believed in the functional aspect of architecture, stating that a house should be “a machine for living in.” He was also known for his horizontal sliding windows, which he patented.
Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson was a highly influential figure in the world of architecture. He served as the founding director of the Department of Architecture at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) from 1935 onwards, and in this role, he helped to shape architectural trends and shape the direction of the field.
In addition to his influential curatorial work, Johnson was also a designer in his own right. While he may not have been a true innovator, he was known for refining the ideas of others and creating iconic works of architecture. One of his most famous projects was the Glass House, a transparent, minimalist residence that he built for himself in 1949.
The Glass House, which was inspired by the work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is known for its expansive use of plate glass and its seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. Johnson also made a significant contribution to the postmodern movement with his “Chippendale” building for AT&T, which is known for its broken-pediment crown resembling the top of a classic 18th-century highboy.
Walter Gropius
Walter Gropius was a pioneering modern architect and the founder of the Bauhaus, a revolutionary art school in Germany. The Bauhaus adopted a flexible, collaborative approach to learning, focusing on the creation of integrated design projects and incorporating mass production techniques into its output.
It attracted some of the most famous names in modernism as well as established artists working in various fields. The Bauhaus had a significant global impact, particularly in the United States, where many of its artists fled to escape persecution by the Nazis during World War II.
Despite its brief existence, the Bauhaus and the design styles it promoted continue to be highly influential to this day.
Renzo Piano
Renzo Piano is an Italian architect known for his contemporary, abstract, and functional style. Born in Genoa in 1937, he is one of the founding partners of the RPBW architecture firm, which has offices in Italy, France, and New York and focuses on collaborative and participatory project development.
RPBW aims to design its buildings for the people, taking into consideration non-physical elements such as light and following the Genius Loci principle, which means taking into account the surroundings.
Some of Piano’s notable projects include The Shard, the tallest building in the United Kingdom, Istanbul Modern in Turkey, and the Whittle School in China.
Daniel Libeskind
Daniel Libeskind is a Polish-Jewish architect who was born in 1946. He founded his architecture firm, Studio Daniel Libeskind, in 1989 and believes that anyone can understand and design architecture as long as they have the right mindset.
One of Libeskind’s most notable projects is the Jewish Museum in Berlin, which was designed to tell the story of German-Jewish history and often leaves visitors with a feeling of disorientation or insecurity.
Other notable works by Libeskind include the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin and the Imperial War Museum North in England. If you want to learn more about Libeskind’s thoughts on architecture and the inspirations for his works, you may want to read his book, Edge of Order.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, commonly known as Mies, was a German architect born in 1886 who is credited with transitioning from the ornate, traditional styles of the 19th century to the sleek, minimalist styles of the 20th century. He gained recognition for his residential work in Germany and was later chosen to design the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona.
Mies is also known for designing the iconic Barcelona chair, a cantilevered chair with a steel frame. In 1937, he moved to the United States and served as the director and designer of the School of Architecture at Chicago’s Armour Institute.
While in the United States, Mies designed several notable skyscrapers, including the Seagram Building in New York City and the Lake Shore Drive apartments in Chicago. His designs often featured exposed structural steel and emphasized simplicity and elegance without excessive ornamentation, reflecting the Industrial Age. Mies was known for his famous phrase “less is more.”
Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava is a Spanish architect known for his futuristic and sculptural designs. His buildings often feature intricate and organic forms that resemble the bones of extinct creatures. Calatrava has gained attention for his high-profile projects, such as the Transit Hub at the World Trade Center, which features a glass oculus that allows natural light to enter the main hall.
The hub faced delays and cost overruns, but it has become a distinctive landmark in New York City. Calatrava has also designed a Greek Orthodox chapel at the World Trade Center, inspired by the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, that replaces one destroyed in the 9/11 attacks.
Calatrava’s style has been described as Neofuturist and sci-fi baroque.
Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen was a Finnish-American architect known for his modernist designs and use of new materials and technologies. He was born on August 20, 1910 in Helsinki, Finland and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1923. Saarinen received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Yale University in 1934 and went on to work for his father’s architecture firm, Eero Saarinen & Associates, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Throughout his career, Saarinen designed a number of notable buildings and public spaces, including the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the TWA Terminal at JFK Airport in New York City, and the Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. He is also known for his furniture designs, including the iconic Womb chair.
Saarinen received numerous awards for his work, including the AIA Gold Medal in 1962. He died unexpectedly at the age of 51 on September 1, 1961. Despite his short career, Saarinen’s work had a lasting impact on the field of architecture and he is considered one of the leading figures of the modernist movement.
Oscar Niemeyer
Oscar Niemeyer was a Brazilian architect known for his modernist designs and his contributions to the development of the city of Brasília, the capital of Brazil. He was born on December 15, 1907 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and received his Bachelor of Architecture from the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro in 1934.
After graduation, Niemeyer worked for several architecture firms in Brazil before establishing his own firm in the 1950s.
Niemeyer is known for his use of concrete and his focus on the curvature of forms in his designs. Some of his notable projects include the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, the National Congress of Brazil in Brasília, and the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum in Rio de Janeiro.
Niemeyer received numerous awards for his work, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1988 and the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1998. He died on December 5, 2012 at the age of 104, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century.
Who is the most famous?
It is difficult to definitively determine the most famous architect, as different people may have different opinions on who is the most famous. Some of the architects who are often considered to be among the most famous include Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Zaha Hadid.
These architects have made significant contributions to the field of architecture and have left a lasting impact on the built environment. Their works have been recognized and celebrated by institutions and organizations around the world, and their influence continues to be felt in the world of architecture today.
Who is the richest architect?
It is difficult to accurately determine the richest architect as the wealth of private individuals is often not publicly disclosed.
However today, the highest earning architect in the world is 77-year-old Norman Foster of Foster and Partners. He has a salary of £2m a year. In 2007, he made £120 million when he sold 40% of his practice. He still owns a 45% stake in the firm.
Other notable rich architects and practices include RMJM, a Scottish practice, with an £80 million valuation, and Irvine and James Sellar, developers of the Shard in London, with a £200 million valuation. At the time of her death, Zaha Hadid was worth £215 million.
What kind of architect makes the most money?
The wages of architects vary wildly depending on a number of factors. Some of which be cover in our salary guide below:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2017 the median annual salary for architects in the US was approximately $76,930, with the top 10% of architects making $129,810, while the bottom 10% made $46,600. Some of the factors that lead to this disparity include the location, firm size, experience, education level, and licensing.
In the US, the states with the most jobs for architects are New York and California. However, Georgia pays its architects best, at a mean of $97,900. For Metropolitan areas, the highest paid architects are in West Palm Beach Florida, with a mean salary of $120,380.
The highest paid architects work for larger firms with revenues of $15 million or more. They earn a mean income of $104,870. These architects are generally found in major metropolitan areas.
FAQ’s about famous architects
What is a famous architect?
A famous architect is an architect who is widely recognized and celebrated for their contributions to the field of architecture. They may have a large body of work that is well-known and highly regarded, and they may have received awards and accolades for their designs.
Famous architects may also be sought after for their expertise and may be invited to design notable projects around the world. Their work may also be studied and analyzed as part of the architectural canon. Famous architects are often considered to be leaders in their field and are recognized as having made significant contributions to the built environment.
Who is the world’s most famous architect?
It is difficult to definitively determine who the world’s most famous architect is, as this can be subjective and depend on various factors such as personal taste, cultural context, and geographical location.
Some architects who are widely known and respected in the field of architecture and have achieved international fame include Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Rem Koolhaas, Zaha Hadid, and Frank Gehry.
Who is the best architect in Sri Lanka?
There are many talented architects working in the Sri Lanka and it is subjective to determine who is the best. However some notable architects include:
- Geoffrey Bawa (1919-2003), who is considered one of the pioneers of tropical modernism in architecture and has had a significant influence on the development of modern architecture in Sri Lanka.
- Minette de Silva (1922-1998), who was the first woman to be registered as an architect in Sri Lanka and is known for her modernist buildings and her use of local materials and techniques.
- Channa Daswatte (born 1943), who is known for his fusion of traditional and modern architectural styles, and his use of materials such as wood, stone, and clay in his buildings.
- Anjalendran (born 1943), who is known for his use of traditional materials and techniques in his modernist buildings, and for his contributions to the development of housing in Sri Lanka.
Is Elon Musk an architect?
No, Elon Musk is not an architect. He is an entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, Inc. He is known for his work in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and space travel.
Who are the most famous architects United States?
- William Van Alen – Chrysler Building
- William F. Lamb – Empire State Building
- Bruce Graham – Sears Tower, Hancock Center
- Frank Lloyd Wright – Guggenheim Museum, Falling Water House
- Frank Gehry – Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Daniel Burnham – Union Station, Washington DC
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe – Seagram Building
- Philip Johnson – New York State Pavilion
- Louis Khan – Phillips Exeter Academy Library
- Adrian Smith – New York Central Park Tower
Who are the most famous female architects?
There have been many notable female architects throughout history, and it is difficult to identify a definitive list of the “most famous.” Some of the most well-known female architects include:
- Zaha Hadid (1950-2016): Hadid was an Iraqi-British architect known for her futuristic, fluid designs. She was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects.
- Denise Scott Brown (born 1931): Scott Brown is an American architect and urban planner known for her work in the fields of design, planning, and theory. She is a recipient of the AIA Gold Medal and the Praemium Imperiale award.
- Julia Morgan (1872-1957): Morgan was an American architect known for her work in the Arts and Crafts style. She was the first woman to be licensed as an architect in California and is best known for her work on Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California.
- Shirley De Vore (1919-2000): De Vore was an American architect and interior designer known for her work in the modernist style. She was the first woman to be elected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and is known for her contributions to the design of the United Nations headquarters in New York.
- Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012): Sklarek was the first African American woman to be licensed as an architect in California. She had a successful career in architecture and worked on a number of notable projects, including the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.
We have full list and breakdown in a separate article here.
Who is the father of architects?
It is difficult to identify a single “father of architects” as the practice of architecture has a long and rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. However, some historians consider the ancient Greek architect and engineer, Hippodamus of Miletus (498-408 BCE), to be one of the earliest known professional architects.
Hippodamus is credited with developing the grid plan for cities, which is still in use today, and is known for his work on the port city of Piraeus, near Athens.
Other notable figures in the history of architecture include the ancient Roman architect, Vitruvius (1st century BCE), who wrote the influential treatise “De architectura,” and the Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), who is known for his contributions to classical architecture.
Which country has world’s best architecture?
Architecture is a diverse field that is influenced by a variety of factors, including local traditions, cultural values, and technological advances. Many countries have a rich history of architectural achievement and have contributed significantly to the development of the field.
Some countries with a reputation for innovative and influential architecture include:
- Japan: Japanese architecture is known for its focus on simplicity, natural materials, and the use of space.
- Germany: German architecture has a long tradition of innovation and is known for its modernist designs and use of new materials and technologies.
- Italy: Italian architecture is known for its classical and Renaissance-style buildings, as well as its contributions to the development of Baroque and Rococo styles.
- United States: American architecture is diverse and has been influenced by a variety of styles and traditions, including European, Asian, and Latin American. The country is known for its iconic skyscrapers and large public spaces.
- China: Chinese architecture has a long history and is known for its use of traditional materials and techniques, as well as its incorporation of modern elements.
These are just a few examples of countries with significant architectural achievements, and it is important to note that many other countries around the world have also contributed to the field of architecture.
