Architecture plays a crucial role in the world, especially in the 21st century. Through architecture, many historic and iconic structures have been built across the globe. Here, we will discuss the top five well-known architects of the 21st century.
1. Frank Gehry
Frank Gehry’s architectural works are the most innovative and unique and are recognized worldwide. His architectural works are attractive, and many tourists visit his buildings to witness his extraordinary innovations. Due to his impact on the architectural industry, Gehry was named by Vanity Fair as “the most popular architect of the 21st century.”
Through his distinctive works, he has established standards for architectural works in the 21st century. His architectural prowess lies in his ability to create unique spaces that utilize surfaces and forms. Also, Gehry is popular for his ability to utilize unique materials that defy all logic in his architectural designs. Some of the most outstanding architectural designs Gehry has come up with include the Marques de Riscal Vineyard Hotel in Elciego and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
2. Frank Lloyd Wright
Some architectural enthusiasts regard Frank Lloyd Wright as the most popular architect of all time. This perception is attributed to how he does his interior and external spaces. An interesting fact is that Lloyd never attended any architectural learning institution. Rather, he learned his architectural skills from Louis Sullivan, another renowned architect of his time.
Lloyd is popular for his unique prairie-style works and organic influences that he learned from his teacher Sullivan. Wright’s organic and nature-based forms and innovative detailing are to date regarded as the most popular structural and design ideas years later. Wright’s most outstanding architectural works include the Fallingwater Residence in Mill Run, the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, and Arizona State University Gammage Auditorium.
3. Jean Nouvel
Jean is a French-based architect who has won several high-ranking awards for his exemplary works, such as the Pritzker Prize in 2008. Jean’s popularity came when he won one of the most prestigious designs in Paris for the Arab World Institute. Jean’s prowess and experience allow him to integrate interior French doors with other designs reminiscent of Arabic latticework.
In this particular competition, Jean used mechanical lenses in the south wall to open and close automatically. These unique devices can automatically control the building’s interior lighting using external light levels. His outstanding architectural works include the Arab World Institute in Paris, Gasometer A in Vienna, and Ziaty Andei in Prague.
4. Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid was the first-ever female architect that scooped the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Born in Iraq, Hadid defied all odds to scoop this prestigious award considered a “Nobel peace prize in the architectural sector.” Hadid’s unique forms are distinguished as artistic, futuristic, daring, and untraditional.
According to Forbes Magazine, even though some of her architectural works were never actualized, she emerged as the 69th most influential female in 2008. Hadid’s most outstanding architectural designs include the Opera House in Guangzhou, Bergisel Ski Jump in Innsbruck, and Phaeno Science Center.
5. Ieoh Ming Pei
Pei is a Chinese-born architect that went to the United States to learn architectural skills when he was a teenager. Later, Ming Pei became one of the well-established architects in the 21st century. Decades later, Pei’s architectural works are still iconic and recognized for their distinctive geometric forms.
Over the years, Pei has learned to integrate Chinese influences into his international architectural works. For instance, Pei’s design of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado manifests Pei’s unique geometric forms and union with natural aspects within their environment. Pei’s outstanding architectural works include the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
Overly, architecture has become a crucial part of contemporary living. In one way or the other, these five architects have greatly contributed to the advancement of architecture through their iconic, historical, and unique works. They have gone a step ahead to surpass the expectations in creating astonishing buildings that give cities in the 21st century a magical look.