Top 10 Most Famous Architects in History

This renowned Chinese-American architect was born in 1917 in Guangzhou, China. He is celebrated for his modernist designs that seamlessly blend with traditional elements. Throughout his career, Pei designed over 250 buildings, including iconic landmarks like the Louvre Pyramid and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong. His notable works have earned him numerous awards, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1983.

This influential American architect was born in 1867 in Richland Center, Wisconsin. He is known for his innovative Prairie School style, which emphasized horizontal lines and harmony with nature. With a career spanning over five decades, Wright designed over 1,000 buildings, including the iconic Guggenheim Museum in New York City. His personal life was also marked by controversy, including a highly publicized divorce.

This Swiss-French architect was born in 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. He is celebrated for his contributions to modern architecture, including the development of the International Style. Throughout his career, Le Corbusier designed over 600 buildings, including the iconic Chapel Cross in Scotland and the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. His notable works include the famous Villa Savoye in France.

This Canadian-American architect was born in 1929 in Kitchener, Ontario. He is known for his unique deconstructivist style, which often features irregular shapes and unconventional materials. With a career spanning over five decades, Gehry has designed over 100 buildings, including the iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. His works have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989.

This German-American architect was born in 1886 in Aachen, Germany. He is celebrated for his minimalist and modernist designs that emphasize simplicity and functionality. Throughout his career, Mies van der Rohe designed over 1,000 buildings, including the iconic Seagram Building in New York City and the Farnsworth House in Illinois. His notable works include the famous Barcelona Pavilion in Spain.

This Spanish architect was born in 1852 in Reus, Catalonia. He is known for his unique and ornate Gothic Revival style, which often features intricate mosaics and twisting columns. With a career spanning over two decades, Gaudí designed over 40 buildings, including the iconic Sagrada Família in Barcelona. His personal life was marked by tragedy, including an automobile accident that left him with lifelong health issues.

This Iraqi-British architect was born in 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq. She is celebrated for her futuristic and curvaceous designs that often push the boundaries of modern architecture. Throughout her career, Hadid designed over 100 buildings, including the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan and the London Aquatics Centre during the 2012 Olympics. Her notable works include the famous Turning Torso in Sweden.

This Spanish architect was born in 1951 in Valencia, Spain. He is known for his futuristic and expressive designs that often feature complex shapes and vibrant colors. With a career spanning over five decades, Calatrava has designed over 400 buildings, including the iconic Torre Agbar in Barcelona and the Milwaukee Art Museum in Wisconsin. His notable works include the famous Winged Habitat in Switzerland.

This British architect was born in 1935 in Preston, Lancashire. He is celebrated for his modernist designs that emphasize sustainability and eco-friendliness. Throughout his career, Foster has designed over 100 buildings, including the iconic Gherkin tower in London and the Reichstag Dome in Berlin. His notable works include the famous Hearst Tower in New York City.

This was incorrect so I will replace it with: Oscar Niemeyer - This Brazilian architect was born in 1907 in Resende, Rio de Janeiro. He is known for his modernist designs that often feature geometric shapes and a sense of community. With a career spanning over five decades, Niemeyer designed over 100 buildings, including the iconic United Nations Headquarters in New York City and the Cathedral of Brasília in Brazil. His notable works include the famous Palace of Culture in Brazil.