As you know, architecture is frozen music, and, consequently, architects are great composers who perfectly mastered the art of creating architectural masterpieces. Only instead of notes they use building materials, perfectly combining the functional, technical and aesthetic properties of their creations.
Many of them, created many centuries ago, rightfully entered the treasury of world culture. We turn over the pages of history, and before us are the most famous architects in the history of mankind.
Ancient architects
Prehistoric man has already learned how to build dwellings in order to hide from the cold and bad weather. Over time, the buildings become more perfect, and architects of antiquity left a good memory of themselves in the form of temple buildings and royal palaces.
Imhotep
Our gallery of outstanding architects of the world is opened by the ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep, who created many magnificent buildings, including the author of the project for the construction of the Djoser Pyramid.
Pictured: Djoser Pyramid
Translated from ancient Egyptian, his name means "He came in peace," and indeed, looking today at his architectural creations, peace comes. In addition, the talented Imhotep mastered the secrets of healing, and also wrote wonderful poems. For his merits, he was deified as the God of healing.
Kallikrath
Kallikrath lived and worked in Athens in the middle of the 5th century BC. He embodied the ideas of Pericles, and rebuilt Athens, which at that time became the most beautiful city on the planet.
Today, hundreds of thousands of tourists come to the capital of Greece to see the main creation of Kallikrath - the Athenian Parthenon. But note that the Parthenon project was created in collaboration with the architect Iktin.
In addition, Kallikrath erected the Niki Temple, and also completed the construction of the Long Walls along the road from Athens to Piraeus.
Germogen
pictured: temple of Zeus
The ancient Greek architect Germogen went down in history as the founder of the Ionic order. We learn about this unique person from the Roman treatise Ten Books on Architecture.
According to his projects, religious complexes were erected, and he also became the author of the construction of the temple in honor of Artemis Levkofrina and the temple of Zeus Sotsipolis. All these structures were the decoration of the Ionian city of Magnesia on Meander. Currently, the facade of the temple in honor of Zeus is exhibited in the Pergamon Museum.
Apollodorus from Damascus
The most talented ancient Roman architect Apollodorus was born in Damascus, but his architectural masterpieces were erected in Europe. Apollodorus perfectly mastered the art of sculpture, learned the secrets of engineering. He was a favorite of the Roman emperor Trajan, for whom he erected buildings and bridges.
In the photo: the column of Trajan in Rome
His first engineering project was a bridge over the Danube. Also built the famous column of Trajan in Rome, a forum. It is believed that he was one of the creators of the Roman Pantheon. Many of the achievements of Roman architects and sculptors still delight the eye and impress with their craftsmanship, which the Colosseum only stands for.
Isidore of Miletus
The famous mathematician and architect of the Byzantine Empire was born in the city of Miletus, and the main creation of his life was the Church of St. Sophia, erected in Constantinople in 537 under the emperor Justinian.
Photo: St. Sophia Church in Istanbul
Isidore's innovation was that for the first time the dome was erected over a square building, and the arches of the vaults, the dome and the half-dome were the main elements of the temple construction.
Architects of the Middle Ages
The church had a great influence on the architectural styles of the Middle Ages, because it was precisely religious buildings that were distinguished by their luxury and a variety of architectural elements, techniques and methods of construction.
Giotto di Bondone
According to some sources, the author of numerous mosaics and unique frescoes, the architect Giotto di Bondone, was supposedly born in 1267 near the town of Vicchio.
He was the first to overcome the influence of the traditions of Byzantium and create magnificent masterpieces of painting and architecture. His main brainchild is the painting of the chapel del Arena in the city of Padua, which was built according to his project in the beginning of the XIV century.
Jean de Shell
The French architect, born in 1200 in the village of Schell, became famous for taking part in the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral.
In the photo: Notre Dame Cathedral
It was according to his unique project that the side facades adjacent to the nave were erected. In memory of him, a plaque is placed on the southern facade, on which 1258 and the architect's last name appear.
Filippo Calendario
Born in Venice, the architect Filippo Calendario lived a short but vibrant life. He was highly respected in his homeland, and the facade and columns of the Doge's Palace in Venice were erected on his project.
In the photo: Doge's Palace
In 1355 he was executed, accused of preparing a coup. By an evil coincidence, the place of execution of Filippo was the Doge's Palace.
Leonardo da Vinci
A talented sculptor, painter, scientist, he became famous in other areas of science and culture. The world knows Leonardo da Vinci as an architect for his work in Milan, where he became the author of the construction of the Sforza Castle.
In the photo: Sforza Castle
Another of his work was the construction of a dome over the Cathedral of Milan. In France, he worked on the creation of the Romorantens Canal, as well as castles commissioned by eminent nobles. Among them stands out Chambord Castle, designed by the great Italian scientist.
In the photo: Chambord Castle
Donato Bramante
It was his project that was taken as the basis for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in 1506. In addition, Donato became the founder of the Renaissance in architecture, created projects of beautiful houses with unique courtyards.
Pictured: St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
In fairness, it is worth noting that in addition to Donato Bramante, other sculptors and architects of the Renaissance, such as Rafael, Bernini, Michelangelo, also accepted the work of creating a magnificent religious building of Catholicism. St. Peter's Basilica in Rome became a symbol of the era and the largest building of the Vatican.
Jacques Lemersier
The royal architect at the court of King Louis XIII, Jacques Lemercier, beautifully and with emotion, embodied the ideas of classicism and baroque.
Pictured: Louvre Museum in Paris
He was a true master of masonry, and many of his projects were based on this particular technique. Lemersie was the first architect of the Louvre, creating the main square hall and a wonderful courtyard. His work was successfully continued by the followers of French classicism.
Louis Levo and Jules Arduin-Mansart
The two majors are united by the majestic and amazing Versailles, whose construction project was sponsored by Louis and Jules.
Louis Levo was the founder of French classicism, and his work impressed the world with magnificence and unusual architectural solutions. His partner Jules Arduin-Mansard was the court architect of Louis XVI, and became the author of Victory Square and Place Vendome in Paris, and also erected the Cathedral of the Invalides.
Filippo Brunelleschi
The bright Renaissance architect was the author of the project to create the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, erected in Florence.
In the photo: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence
One of the first to discover the basics of perspective in architecture. He built many churches and temples, but his main creation is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and today it amazes with the splendor of thousands of tourists visiting Italian Florence.
Octaviano Mancini
In the photo: St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev
The Italian architect is famous for the fact that in 1633 he led the restoration work of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev. By the mid 40-ies of the XVII century, the work was completed, and the beautiful Kiev temple took on a new look in the Ukrainian Baroque style. Hemisphere domes became pear-shaped, stucco appeared on the facade of the church, and the unique murals of the ancient temple were also restored.
St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, which was repeatedly restored after the great Italian, became a beautiful visiting card of the Ukrainian capital. About other sights of Kiev most-beauty.ru wrote an interesting article.
Architects of New Time
At this time, pragmatism comes to life, which is naturally reflected in architecture. Architects of New Time began to use new techniques, and most importantly, new materials to create their masterpieces.
Domenico Andrea Trezzini
The Italian, invited to work by Peter I, became the first architect of St. Petersburg. It was according to his project that the Kronstadt fortress was laid, the Nevsky Lavra, the summer house of Peter was built.
In the photo: Nevsky Lavra
The architect was so in love and passionate about his work that he arrived in Russia, leaving his wife and his children at home. In memory of the great architect in St. Petersburg, a monument was erected on the square, which is named after him.
Vasily Petrovich Stasov
The great Russian architect was born into a poor noble family in 1769. He received a diploma from the Roman Academy of Painting and Architecture, and upon returning to his homeland he became the author of significant projects in the capital of the Russian Empire.
The architect of the Narva Triumphal Gate was the founder of the Russian style. His temple of Alexander Nevsky in Potsdam, Germany, is the first unique monument in this style that has survived to our time.
Charles Garnier
An art historian and a prominent representative of eclecticism, the French architect also became the founder of the Beaux Arts style. He brought to life great projects, including the Opera Garnier, Teatro Marigny, a casino in Monte Carlo.
In the photo: Opera Garnier
He wrote many books on the history of architecture, archeology. For his services to France he was awarded the highest award of France - the Order of the Legion of Honor.
At the break of ages. Late 19th - early 20th centuries
Majestic architectural monuments, unusual park complexes, as well as unusual sculptural compositions appeared at the turn of two centuries, which is worth noting in our review of world architects.
Frederick Auguste Bartholdy
The installation of a gift from France to the American people in honor of the 100th anniversary of US independence, like the Eiffel Tower, was a new milestone in the development of architecture.
The development of the draft Statues of Liberty was entrusted to the talented Frenchman Federic Bartholdi, and he successfully completed the task. But the idea of creating this sculpture belongs to the thinker Edouard Rene Lefebvre de Laboulet. The stern of this sculpture in the track record of Frederick magnificent monuments adorning the best cities of the world.
Antonio Gaudi
In the early 70s of the XIX century, Antonio came to Barcelona, and began to diligently comprehend all the subtleties of architectural art. After studying, he worked under the supervision of famous Spanish masters.
He went down in history as the author of the project and the architect of the Park Guell in Barcelona, which was built for 14 years, from 1900 to 1914. Under his supervision, the construction of the Sagrada Familia Temple began, which began in 1882 and continues to this day. Antonio escaped from the influence of eclecticism and created his own, unique style of curved surfaces.
Gunnar Asplund
Swedish architects of the early twentieth century have come a long way from neoclassicism to functionalism. Gunnar Asplood became a vivid representative of the style of functionalism.
In the photo: the city library in Stockholm
His city library in Stockholm is a chic testament to Gunnar's commitment to strict, clear lines and elements of the harsh northern Art Nouveau. His work had a great influence on the development of architecture, especially in the field of work with glass and iron structures.
Frank Lloyd Wright
The American architect innovator had a great influence on the development of world architecture in the early twentieth century. All his life, Wright promoted an open style and the so-called "organic architecture", which is not contrary to nature.
In the photo: House over the Waterfall
Particularly distinguished among his projects is the House over the Falls, built in southern Pennsylvania. It is in this project that the master’s style is visible, manifested in the harmonious fusion of architecture and nature.
Le Corbusier
In the photo: Le Corbusier holds a model of the famous "radiant house", which will be built in Marseille.
A French architect with Swiss roots made a huge contribution to modern architecture. His new approach to space and forms was revolutionary.
The architect was a supporter of free forms, squares and spaces. A distinctive feature of his new style was block forms in architecture, flat simple forms of buildings, simple rough decoration, free space. Le Corbusier even wrote his own architect code, entitled “The Five Starting Points of Modern Architecture,” which included the following points:
- Pillars
- Flat roof terraces
- Free layout
- Tape windows
- Loose facade
Palace of Justice in the Indian city of Chandigarh
Le Corbusier has been working for more than half a century. During this time, according to his projects, a huge number of buildings and structures were built in all parts of the world. The great architect passed away at the age of 77, leaving behind a huge legacy for all of humanity.
Walter Gropius
A well-known German architect who made a great contribution to the development of world architecture, one of the founders of the Bauhaus school. He began his career working in the workshop of Peter Behrens as a designer and architect. Here he meets the great colleagues Le Corbusier and Ludwig Rohe.
Gropius is making great strides in urban planning, as well as in the design of industrial, administrative, residential buildings and exhibition spaces. His first major project was the German Fargus shoe factory, which he designed with Adolf Meyer. Until now, the factory has retained its freshness and beauty.
Shoe factory "Fargus"
Famous architects of our time
In our ranking of architects, we will not forget about the celebrities of the architectural art of our time, who are trendsetters in construction and authors of new architectural trends and styles.
Evgeny Vuchetich
A talented Soviet sculptor became the author of the composition “Motherland”, which was perfectly embodied by the architect and engineer Nikolai Nikitin.
Note that this is one of the highest statues in the world. In addition to Vuchetich’s other works, a monument to the Liberating Warrior in Berlin, as well as the sculpture “Swing Swords at the Screaming”, standing in front of the UN building in New York, should be mentioned.
Grigory Morozov
In the photo: Palace of Sports "Jubilee" in St. Petersburg
In 1948, a Soviet architect and scientist graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Painting and Architecture, and for many years was the chief architect of Leningrad.
According to his projects, the Yubileiny Palace, the Shipyard on Petrovskaya Spit and many other buildings in the style of Soviet realism with elements of classicism were erected. Until his death in 1992, he was devoted to his beloved business, and continued to lead the architectural workshop, raising many talented students.
Oscar Niemeyer
Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, one of the most famous Latin American craftsmen, was a pioneer in the field of reinforced concrete architecture.
Cathedral in Brasilia
In fact, all the buildings in the new part of the capital of Brasilia were built according to Oscar's designs. Among them, it is worth noting the Palace of the National Congress and the Government House.Due to his communist views, he was forced to leave his homeland. Then he returned, and after living 104 years, the great master died in 2012 in his native Rio de Janeiro.
Alessandro Mendini
A talented Italian architect and designer was born in Milan in 1931. From a young age he became interested in construction, and played an important role in the development of Italian and world design.
Groninger Museum in the Netherlands
A striking feature of his work is the mixing of various styles and forms, not afraid to bring diversity. In addition, Mendini has written several books on design theory and the history of world architecture.
Conclusion
Architecture, which is part of the sphere of spiritual culture, forms the environment that is so necessary for the life and work of people. Of great importance is the aesthetic views of mankind, although, as we see, the great architects and architects of the past often went beyond the usual framework of generally accepted norms. And such an ability is talent, and as a symbol of the eternity of architecture, the Leaning Tower of Pisa Bonnato Pisano, which has been falling since the 12th century, still stands.
Article author: Valery Skiba