Top 5 Most Influential Architects in History

Every now and again, an artist will come along and change the way that we perceive art and design. Architecture is simple terms is the art and science of designing structures or building, but it is also a lot more than this. When most people think about architecture, they think about houses and buildings but it is so much more than this. It is actually an art form, an expression of the architect’s emotions and beliefs and a reflection of their personality. It has the ability to move and inspire others and this is when you know you have a really good architect on your hands.

There are some architects in history that are responsible for creating masterpieces that are so innovative and impressive that they have a much deeper impact on people than though possible. Architects can quite literally redesign our future and here is a look at the top 5 who used their incredible talents to change the way we view the world:

Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho

He is famous for being one of the first to experiment with using reinforced concrete just for aesthetical reasons. He began his career by designing the first state-sponsored skyscraper in the world on the behalf of the Brazilian government and was considered the first example of Brazilian modernism. He was also involved in the international team that designed the UN headquarters in New York. He was responsible for creating the headquarters of the French Communist Party and the Mondadori Publishing House office near Milan.

Antoni Plácid Guillen Gaudì i Cornet

This Catalan architect worked during the Art Nouveau times. His designs were famous for their unique nature which was thought to extend beyond the limitations of Modernism. Later in his career, Barcelona would become Gaudi’s signature city, but a lot of his earlier work can be seen in Spain. The architect was a devoted Catholic and went on to design one of the most popular churches on the world- Sagrada Familia. This masterpiece has 18 towers and work commenced in 1882 and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Louis Henri Sullivan

Sullivan is known worldwide as the father of modern architecture and his designs are recognizable by the simplification of form. He is thought to be the creator of the modern skyscraper due to his work during the construction boom of Chicago after the great Fire in 1871. Sullivan also made a name for himself by being one of the first of his time to use the column-frame construction technique. This meant he was able to construct taller buildings with larger windows and also utilize the steel girdle method. Sullivan’s most famous work includes The Auditorium Building in Chicago, Wainwright Building in St. Louis and Prudential Building in Buffalo, New York.

Frank Gehry

At his peak, Gehry was given the award for “the most important architect of our age” by Vanity Fair. Today, his buildings are still some of the world’s hottest tourist attractions. He is thought to be one of the only major architects to have made his name through his own private residence. Gehry’s style champions the Deconstructivism approach which is a development of postmodern architecture. His designs are instantly recognizable by the obvious fragmentation and the ability of his buildings to always catch the eye. Some of his most famous works include The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Der Neue Zollhof in Düsseldorf.

Ieoh Ming Pei

Born in China, Pei came to America to study architecture. 76 years later after this he has gained a reputation as one of the greatest masters of modern architecture. His work is instantly recognizable due to his large, abstract geometrical forms and his use of traditional Chinese style in his work. His most famous works include The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, The National Gallery of Art in Washington, Le Grand Louvre in Paris and The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong.