From Louis Sullivan to Frank Lloyd Wright, these are the architects we think have revolutionised the industry with their designs and structures.
Architecture has been full of innovative, trail-blazing individuals that have paved the way for modern architecture. However, there are some that stand head and shoulders above the rest and have earned their place on the Mount Rushmore of architecture. Here, we are going to take a look into the individuals who changed the game or simply the ones that have been the most impressive throughout their illustrious careers.
Louis Sullivan
“Every building is like a person. Single and unrepeatable.”
Louis Sullivan was an American architect born in 1856 and is known as the father of modernism due to his contributions towards the skyscraper. He was one of the trail-blazers for his adoption of the column-frame construction technique and used this to influence his work. His ideas allowed him to dream up taller buildings than what people were used to at the time and was seen as an innovator in his field. His projects include the Wainwright Building, Prudential Building and Auditorium Building.
Frank Lloyd Wright
“The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own, we have no soul of our civilization.”
Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most famous architects the world has ever seen and may even be known by people outside of the field. He was born in 1867 in America and actually had Louis Sullivan as a mentor, so he had big footsteps to follow. He is claimed to have built more than a 1000 structures and is credited as the creator of organic architecture, a style of architecture that is known for being inspired by its natural surroundings, sometimes being built within or around nature itself. The Garden By The Bay in Singapore is a great example of this style and owes a lot to Frank Lloyd Wright, as do many other structures over the world.
Zaha Hadid
“I don’t think that architecture is only about shelter, is only about a very simple enclosure. It should be able to excite you, calm you, to make you think.”
Zaha Hadid was the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture prize and it is not a surprise when you take a look at her CV. The British-Iraqi architect has been influential in the design of some of the best pieces of architecture in the past 50 years, including; The Bridge Pavilion, Phaeno Science Centre and the Vitra Fire Station. She was not only a role model to all aspiring female architects, but of course to all male architects too with her huge contributions to modern designs.
Oscar Niemeyer
“My work is not about “form follows function,” but “form follows beauty” or, even better “form follows feminine”.”
Oscar Niemeyer is known to be one of the most influential individuals on modern architecture. The Brazilian born architect is credited for building the first state-sponsored skyscraper, with said building being the first structure built in the Brazilian-Modernism style. His most famous works include; the Cathedral of Brasilia, Museu Oscar Niemeyer and the Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum. His work can predominantly be seen throughout Brazil but his buildings are dotted all over the world and has definitely earned his place on the list of most influential architects the world has ever seen.
Antoni Gaudi
“Nothing is invented, as it is written in nature first.”
Spain has some of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the world, and a lot of that is down to the work of Antoni Gaudi. The original architect of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, his work is still being seen by millions of people today. The gothic but beautiful aesthetic of that building alone is enough to place him on this page, however he has also worked on Casa Batllo and La Pedrera and many more.
There are many more architects that have changed the landscape of historic and modern architecture, individuals like Leoh Ming Pei, Michelangelo and Philip Johnson. Some people may place said people and others on this list above the aforementioned five, and we can definitely see why someone would make the case for that.
Ophir Architecture was formed in 2018 by owner/director Mark Bridge and the company sets out to deliver astounding architecture and dream-like designs.
