There's always a genius, artist, or figure who changes the way we perceive the world. Similarly, in architecture, brilliant minds have brought emotions and new perspectives through their work. These five men from the world of fine arts redesigned the future and changed the world with their dedication and innovative spirit.
1-Oscar Niemeyer (December 15, 1907 – December 5, 2012)
Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho is considered a pioneer in the use of reinforced concrete for purely aesthetic reasons. Niemeyer began by designing the first skyscraper for the Brazilian government, which was completed in 1943 and, decades later, was recognized as the first example of Brazilian modernism.
He was part of the international team that designed the UN headquarters in New York, and his conceptual plan was the main source of inspiration for the builders. His membership in the Brazilian Communist Party restricted his opportunities to work in the United States, and he was exiled until 1985. After his exile ended, he designed the main administrative buildings in Brasília, the country's new capital.
During his time in Europe, he designed several buildings, including the headquarters of the French Communist Party and the Mondadori Publishing House near Milan. After returning to his native Brazil, Niemeyer continued designing impressive structures throughout the country, such as the Niterói Museum of Contemporary Art, the Military Cathedral (Igreja de Nossa Pace), the Memorial to Indigenous Peoples, and many others. He died on December 5, 2012, at the age of 105.
2. Antoni Gaudí (June 25, 1852 – June 10, 1926)
Antoni Placid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet was a Catalan architect who, although he worked during the Art Nouveau period, also displayed other influences in his creations. His works made him famous for their unique design and for transcending the limitations of Modernism. While Barcelona is Gaudí's emblematic city, his early works include projects throughout Spain.
As a devout Catholic, he designed a structure that would become one of the most famous churches in the world – the Sagrada Familia. He designed it to have 18 towers – 12 for the 12 apostles, 4 for the four evangelists, one for Mary, and one for Jesus. Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Gaudí's masterpiece is a combination of three styles – Spanish Late Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau. The building's plan is truly unique, characterized by remarkable complexity: it features double aisles, three portals, and three façades. The entire structure measures 90 meters long, 60 meters wide, and will rise to 170 meters once the final tower is completed.
Park Güell is another of his works and another building in Barcelona. It is considered a municipal garden and admission is free. The park features a terrace and a long bench shaped like a sea serpent, paths with integrated bird nests and columned walkways, and much more. Other brilliant works by Gaudí include Casa Cavalet, Casa Vicens, Casa Batlló, and Casa Millà.
3. Louis Sullivan (September 3, 1856 – April 14, 1924)
Louis Henri Sullivan is undoubtedly the father of modern architecture. His distinctive style is characterized by a simplification of form, while ornamental details are provided by the structure and theme of the building. Sullivan is considered the creator of the modern skyscraper, due to his role in the boom in its construction in Chicago that followed the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Louis Sullivan was one of the first architects of his time to adopt the beam-and-column construction technique, which allowed for taller buildings with larger windows. This method uses steel beams suspended from the walls, floors, and ceilings to support the entire weight of the structure. He was hired by Dankmar Adler in 1879, with whom he designed famous structures such as the Chicago Auditorium, the Wainwright Building in St. Louis, and the Prudential Building in Buffalo, New York.
The Chicago Auditorium is one of his most recognized designs and was the first home of the Chicago Civic Opera and Symphony Orchestra; it is now a National Historic Landmark. His individual works include the Sullivan Center (formerly known as the Carson, Pirie, Scott & Company Building) and the Krause Music Store, both in Chicago, and the Bayard-Condict Building in New York City. All of his personal works were enriched with Art Nouveau details. Louis Sullivan, originally from Belgium, created the style that crossed not only borders but also oceans.
4. Frank Gehry (born February 28, 1929)
Awarded the title of “the most important architect of our time” by Vanity Fair magazine , Frank Gehry boasts an impressive portfolio, featuring buildings considered masterpieces of contemporary architecture. While this assertion may be open to debate, one thing is clear: Gehry's buildings (including his own home) are quintessential tourist attractions. He was the only one of the great architects of our time to become famous for his private residence in Santa Monica, California.
Frank Gehry is undoubtedly a proponent of deconstructivism. This style, also called DeCon architecture, is a development of postmodern architecture characterized by ideas of fragmentation through the manipulation of surfaces. Unlike most styles in use, the core belief of deconstructivism is that form does not always follow function. Although many specialists criticize these types of buildings, they are always visually appealing to passersby.
Gehry has designed dozens of buildings worldwide, and another 23 projects are currently under construction or in development. Some of his most notable works include the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Neue Zollhof in Düsseldorf, and the Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Elciego de Ávila.
5. Ieoh Ming Pei (April 26, 1917-May 15, 2019)
Pei was born in China and came to the United States at the age of 17 to study architecture. He is considered one of the greatest masters of modern architecture. He is known for his large, abstract geometric forms and for incorporating traditional Chinese style into his works.
Pei began his career in 1950 with the design of a rather conservative corporate building in Atlanta, Georgia. After establishing his own firm in 1955, he focused on urban projects, such as Kips Bay Towers in Manhattan, New York, and Society Hill Towers. He began to make a name for himself with his design of the Mesa Laboratory, located just outside Boulder, Colorado. The new laboratory blended remarkably well into the local landscape and years later became an award-winning masterpiece due to its aesthetic qualities, functionality, and timelessness.
His subsequent projects included new buildings for several universities in the United States, airport terminals, public libraries, and even city halls. He soon began designing buildings worldwide for governments, international banks, and prestigious cultural institutions.
Among Pei's most popular works are: the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Grand Louvre (The Pyramid) in Paris, France; the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. He died in 2019.
Source: Sinembargo.mx
