10 World Famous Architects

Architecture is the art of designing and erecting buildings and structures, which should meet the standards of functionality and safety while being aesthetic and inspirational. Many brilliant architects impacted the world of architecture with their creations.

This article reviews the top 10 architects and their notable creations. From iconic buildings to innovative structures, those are proofs of unique creativity and vision.

1. Frank Gehry (born 1929, 94 years)

Frank Gehry is a Canadian-American architect famous for his unconventional and innovative design. Two of his most famous creations are The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, deemed a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, notorious for its bold, undulating façade.

Gehry is also known for his use of unconventional materials such as metal, glass, and concrete to create buildings with bold and innovative forms. In addition, he has won numerous awards, including the Pritzker Prize in 1989, the highest award in architecture.

2. Zaha Hadid (1950 – 2016, aged 65)

Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-born British architect and the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize in 2004. She is famous for her innovative and daring style, which included buildings such as the MAXXI – National Museum of the 21st Century Arts in Rome, Italy, and the Al-Janoub Stadium from Qatar.

Hadid's architectural work has often been described as "organic" because of the curved and flowing forms that combine uniquely. Plus, she focused on sustainability and cutting-edge technology. Despite passing away in 2016, her legacy continues to inspire and influence contemporary architecture.

3. Norman Foster (born 1935, 87 years)

Norman Foster is a British architect famous for his innovative and cutting-edge designs. A co-founder of the largest UK architectural firm, Foster and Partners since 1967, he designed many iconic buildings: London’s Millennium Bridge, part of the UK’s new millennium celebrations, and Manhattan’s Hearst Tower, known for its sustainable design.

Norman Foster became famous for the use of modern materials and technologies in buildings equally functional and beautiful. Throughout his career, he received many awards, including the Pritzker Prize in 1999 and the RIBA Architecture Award in 1983, 1990, and 1998.

4. I. M. Pei (1917-2019, aged 102)

Ieoh Ming Pei was an American, Chinese-born architect, popular for his stylish and sophisticated design. His most famous creations include the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, and the Grand Louvre & Louvre Pyramid in Paris, France.

Pei was a master of using simple geometric shapes and integrating precious materials such as marble and glass into some impressive buildings. He received many awards, including the Pritzker Prize in 1983 and the AIA Gold Medal in 1979.

5. Rem Koolhaas (born 194, 78 years)

Rem Koolhaas is a Dutch architect famous for his innovative and provocative designs. He established the OMA architecture firm in 1975, with many remarkable buildings in his portfolio, such as Casa da Música in Porto, Portugal, and the Seattle Central Library in Seattle.

Koolhaas is known for his use of unconventional forms and unusual materials, such as rubber, for his buildings with a powerful and innovative personality. He received many awards for his design, including the Pritzker Prize in 2000 and the Stirling Prize in 2004.

6. Renzo Piano (born 1937, 85 years)

Renzo Piano is an Italian architect who became popular due to his daring and clever design. His most famous works include the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France, and The Shard in London, which is the tallest building in Western Europe.

Renzo Piano is famous for bringing light and transparency into his design, besides the focus on sustainability and the environment. He has been involved in a large number of restoration and conservation projects of historic buildings, as well as urban development projects.

7. Tadao Ando (born 1941, 81 years)

Tadao Ando is a Japanese architect famous for minimalist design and organic architecture: buildings integrated into nature. His prominent projects include the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas, and the Conference Pavilion on the Vitra Campus in Germany. Ando is known for his use of concrete and natural light to create spaces that convey simplicity and sophisticated elegance. He received many design awards, including the Pritzker Prize in 1995 and the AIA Gold Medal in 2002.

8. Jean Nouvel (born 1945, 77 years)

Jean Nouvel is a French architect famous for his new vision and the skill of transforming buildings into works of art.

His works include the National Museum of Qatar, the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre from Switzerland, and Institut du Monde Arabe from Paris, a balanced mix of modern and traditional elements.

Jean Nouvel has been awarded many prizes and distinctions, including the Pritzker Prize in 2008, deemed as the architecture’s Nobel Prize.

9. Bjarke Ingels (born 1974, 48 years)

Bjarke Ingels is a Danish architect and founder of BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group. He is famous for his creative and unconventional approach to design, which is based on sustainable and green solutions. His most remarkable works include the VIA 57 West, a New York residential building, and The Twist Museum from Kistefos Sculpture Park in Norway, which has won several international awards.

Bjarke Ingels is also famous for his accessible and interactive approach to the design of public buildings, such as CopenHill, an iconic waste-to-energy plant from Copenhagen. He has been featured in Time 100 magazine's list of the world's most influential people.

10. Antoni Gaudi (1852 -1926, aged 73)

Another famous architect, if not the most famous is Antoni Gaudi. He was a Catalan architect, renowned for his unique and distinctive modernist style, which is characterized by organic shapes, freedom of form, and vibrant colors.

Gaudi designed many remarkable buildings, but perhaps the most famous one is the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona. The project on this started in 1882, with Gaudi assuming the role of the chief architect in 1883, adjusting to his style, and managing it until his tragic death in 1926. Still under construction these days, Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous unfinished buildings in the world.

Gaudi was also a master of interior and exterior decoration, adopting mosaics and ceramic decoration into his creations. He was also passionate about engineering issues, thus allowing him to build structures that combine aesthetics and functionality.

To conclude, by being one of the most important and influential architects in history, Antoni Gaudi was included in our Top 10 famous architects.

Architecture is an art that combines beauty, functionality, and durability. Whether with residential, office, or museum destinations, architecture is essential for creating functional spaces for people to live, work and enjoy the beauty.

Architects are important for society as they shape the building we inhabit. They should consider the needs and desires of their customers, besides the impact on the community, plus the environmental issues.

Ultimately, architecture is a combination of art and science. Architects must be creative and find creative solutions when confronted with technical and aesthetic issues. This requires an extensive understanding of materials, structures, and building processes.

If you are interested in a career in architecture, it is important to develop your drawing skills, learn about the history and theory of architecture and seek opportunities to work with experienced architects for upgrading your skills.

Ultimately, architecture is a complex and fascinating art form that influences our lives considerably. From historic to modern buildings, architecture is an expression of our identity and culture, which deserves praise, respect, and admiration.