10 most famous architects TOP of the greatest architects in the history of mankind
10 of the world’s most famous architects have created stunningly beautiful buildings and structures in different parts of our planet. These architects forever changed the appearance of many cities, and their creations are rightfully considered masterpieces of fine art. They purposefully went to success throughout their lives, tirelessly striving to make the world around them better, constantly generating new ideas and turning them into reality in grandiose projects.
The 10 most famous architects are:
- Andrea Palladio (1508-1580);
- Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli (1697-1771);
- Charles Garnier (1825-1898);
- Antonio Gaudí (1852-1926);
- Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959);
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969);
- Norman Foster (b. 1935);
- Toyo Ito (b. 1941);
- Zaha Hadid (1950-2016);
- Santiago Calatrava (b. 1951).
Andrea Palladio
The great Italian master of the Late Renaissance is rightfully considered the founder of European classical architecture. A separate style of architecture is even named after him “Palladianism”, which absorbed the best traditions of Antiquity.
Andrea Palladio became famous for the creation of palace buildings and private villas in the likeness of ancient Roman temples. He also wrote a large-scale scientific work entitled “Four Books on Architecture” with numerous illustrations, in which he described in detail the basic principles of classicist and baroque styles in architecture.
Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli
This famous master was also Italian by origin, but lived most of his life in St. Petersburg. He came to Russia as an 18-year-old boy with his father at the invitation of Peter I and for almost 50 years he was engaged in the construction of magnificent palaces and temples in the Elizabethan Baroque style.
Among the many unique masterpieces created by the genius, it is worth highlighting two magnificent palaces the Great Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo and the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. In his works, Rastrelli skillfully combined Russian motifs with Western European traditions of architecture, and most Russians associate his name with the luxurious architectural decoration of the northern capital.
Charles Garnier
A native Parisian, Garnier, at the age of 35, won the competition for the best project of the capital’s opera house and skillfully used the chance given by fate. The luxurious building designed by him is respectfully called the “Opera Garnier” by the inhabitants of the French capital, it is considered an example of the Beauzar style of the middle of the 19th century.
During his life, Garnier wrote many articles on architectural art, as well as a separate book entirely devoted to the construction of theaters. He was the first to use in the construction of large buildings frames made of metal beams, which were distinguished by excellent strength and fire resistance.
Antonio Gaudi
The name of this brilliant Spaniard is well known to every person who has visited Barcelona at least once in his life. Thanks to the masterpieces of Gaudi, the capital of Catalonia has forever changed its architectural appearance. Unique buildings with complex organic forms annually attract millions of tourists from all over the world to the city.
Gaudi created a new architectural language that was far ahead of its time and brought him worldwide fame. And the most famous masterpiece of the master “The Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family” has been built for almost 140 years with funds donated by parishioners.
Frank Lloyd Wright
This American master became the most influential architect in the country by the beginning of the 20th century, although he did not have a higher profile education. He was a brilliant innovator of architecture and always believed that buildings built by man should be an integral part of the surrounding nature, and not stand out against its background.
Prairie Houses, created within the framework of the ideas of organic architecture, brought wide fame to Wright. And the luxurious country mansion designed by him called “The House over the Falls” is considered in the USA the greatest masterpiece of national architecture of all time.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
German-born Ludwig Mies van der Rohe left Germany in 1938 and achieved wide recognition after moving to the United States. At the initial stage of his professional career, he was a supporter of functionalism, but later became one of the leading masters of the international style.
In the post-war years, Mies van der Rohe first became famous for creating low-rise buildings in the American outback, and then seriously engaged in the design of skyscrapers in megacities. It was he who came up with the idea of erecting residential and commercial buildings with all-glass walls, which have become the hallmarks of the business centers of the largest US cities.
Norman Foster
The only Briton on our list has been running Foster Partners, the country’s largest architectural practice, for more than 50 years, with numerous branches around the world. He has always been a supporter of the widespread use in the construction of the latest energy-efficient technologies in the construction of buildings made of glass and concrete.
Whether it’s an airport terminal, a high-rise commercial building, or a state-of-the-art stadium, Foster is happy to take on large-scale projects. He designed and built the tallest bridge in the world, the Millau Viaduct, as well as the famous Mary Ax skyscraper in central London.
Toyo Ito
The Japanese master of postmodernism became famous for creating buildings with unique interactive properties. Thanks to the use of the latest lighting systems, his houses at night look very impressive and presentable.
In his projects, Ito skillfully combines the features of the real and virtual worlds. His futuristic masterpieces embody the popular theory of a simulated city of the future, in which the private and public life of each person harmoniously combines with each other.
Zaha Hadid
The only woman on our list achieved international recognition at the turn of the last century through pioneering deconstructivist designs. In her works, she boldly used a distorted perspective to deform the architectural space.
Unfortunately, Zaha left this world in 2016, but many of her projects are still being built around the world, including the luxurious Al Wakra Stadium in Qatar, which will soon host matches of the World Cup. And the “Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center”, created by Hadid, is rightfully considered a symbol of modern Baku.
Santiago Calatrava
A Spaniard by origin, Calatrava has been living in Switzerland since the mid-70s of the last century, and his completed projects can be found all over the world. Santiago is one of the most respected masters of the bio-tech architectural style, which makes extensive use of wildlife forms.
In addition to many high-rise buildings, Calatrava has designed dozens of original bridges, several state-of-the-art railway stations and huge exhibition pavilions. And his futuristic buildings make an indelible impression on millions of people in different parts of the Earth.
The 10 most famous architects in the history of mankind were very different people, but they all sincerely loved their work. And the unique projects, embodied in reality by brilliant masters of architecture, will forever remain great masterpieces of world art.
