North America

Frank Lloyd Wright (USA)

1. Quote: “The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own, we

have no soul of our own civilization.”
2. Biography: An American visionary who designed over 1,000 structures in a 70-year
career, pioneering the Prairie School and organic architecture.
3. Style: Organic architecture, Prairie School
4. Notable Works: Fallingwater, Guggenheim Museum

I. M. Pei (USA/China)

1. Quote: “Success is a collection of problems solved.”

2. Biography: A Chinese-American architect known for his geometric clarity and
modernist masterpieces that blend art with engineering.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Louvre Pyramid, Bank of China Tower

Louis Kahn (USA)

1. Quote: “A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, go through measurable
means, and in the end be unmeasurable.”
2. Biography: An influential American architect celebrated for monumental designs
imbued with material honesty and thoughtful geometry.
3. Style: Modernism, Brutalism
4. Notable Works: Salk Institute, National Assembly Building of Bangladesh

Philip Johnson (USA)

1. Quote: “I always thought the skyline of a city was its most beautiful signature.”
2. Biography: A central figure in modern architecture and later postmodernism, whose
work and exhibitions helped shape contemporary architectural discourse.
3. Style: Modernism, Postmodernism
4. Notable Works: Glass House, AT&T Building (collaborative work)

Michael Graves (USA)

1. Quote: “Design is a process, not a final product.”

2. Biography: An architect and designer whose postmodern approach influenced both
building design and everyday objects.
3. Style: Postmodernism
4. Notable Works: Portland Building, various Disney designs

Frank Gehry (Canada/USA)

1. Quote: “Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for
timelessness.”
 2. Biography: Known for his sculptural, deconstructivist style, this Canadian-born
architect reshaped the language of contemporary architecture.
3. Style: Deconstructivism
4. Notable Works: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Walt Disney Concert Hall

Elizabeth Diller (USA – Diller Scofidio + Renfro)

1. Quote: “I believe that architecture is a public art form that reflects the values of its
time.”
2. Biography: A co-founder of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, she leads projects that merge
art, technology, and public space in innovative ways.
3. Style: Contemporary, Experimental
4. Notable Works: The High Line, Lincoln Center Redevelopment

Moshe Safdie (USA/Israel)

1. Quote: “Buildings, like nature, have a sense of order.”

2. Biography: An architect whose human-centric and visionary urban designs have left
a mark on modern architecture globally.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Habitat 67, Marina Bay Sands

Europe
Le Corbusier (Switzerland/France)

1. Quote: “A house is a machine for living in.”

2. Biography: A pioneer of modern architecture and urban planning, his ideas
redefined how space and light can shape living.
3. Style: Modernism, International Style
4. Notable Works: Villa Savoye, Notre Dame du Haut

Antoni Gaudí (Spain)

1. Quote: “The straight line belongs to man; the curved one to God.”
2. Biography: A Catalan genius whose imaginative, nature-inspired forms have made
his works instantly recognizable.
3. Style: Catalan Modernism
4. Notable Works: Sagrada Família, Park Güell
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (Germany/USA)

1. Quote: “Less is more.”

2. Biography: A modernist luminary whose refined, minimalist approach redefined the
aesthetic of the modern era.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Barcelona Pavilion, Seagram Building

Norman Foster (United Kingdom)

1. Quote: “As an architect, you design for the present, with an awareness of the past,
for a future which is essentially unknown.”
2. Biography: A leading British architect known for his high-tech, sustainable designs
that integrate form and function.
3. Style: High-tech architecture
4. Notable Works: The Gherkin, Hearst Tower

Renzo Piano (Italy)

1. Quote: “One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time, it is like life
starting all over again.”
2. Biography: An Italian innovator celebrated for his elegant, technologically advanced
designs that transform urban spaces.
3. Style: Modernism, High-tech
4. Notable Works: The Shard, Centre Georges Pompidou

Richard Rogers (United Kingdom)

1. Quote: “Design is about making things work beautifully.”

2. Biography: A champion of sustainable design, his work in high-tech architecture has
reshaped cities and institutions worldwide.
3. Style: High-tech architecture
4. Notable Works: Lloyd’s Building, Millennium Dome

Rem Koolhaas (Netherlands)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a dangerous mix of power and intimacy.”

2. Biography: A Dutch architect and theorist celebrated for challenging conventions
with bold, often unorthodox projects.
3. Style: Modernism, Deconstructivism
4. Notable Works: CCTV Headquarters, Seattle Central Library

Jean Nouvel (France)

1. Quote: “Architecture is not about space but time.”

2. Biography: Known for his inventive use of light and material, this French architect
creates buildings that interact dynamically with their context.
3. Style: Contemporary, Modernism
4. Notable Works: Institut du Monde Arabe, Philharmonie de Paris
Eero Saarinen (Finland/USA)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a tool for living.”

2. Biography: A visionary known for his dynamic, sweeping forms that capture the
imagination and redefine spatial experiences.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: TWA Flight Center, Gateway Arch

Alvar Aalto (Finland)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a way of thinking.”

2. Biography: A Finnish architect whose empathetic, human-centered modernism has
influenced generations of designers.
3. Style: Modernism, Organic architecture
4. Notable Works: Finlandia Hall, Paimio Sanatorium

Herzog & de Meuron (Switzerland)

1. Quote: “Architecture is an interpretation of our times.”

2. Biography: This Swiss firm is celebrated for innovative projects that blend new ideas
with sensitive contextual responses.
3. Style: Contemporary, Adaptive Reuse
4. Notable Works: Beijing National Stadium, Tate Modern

Peter Zumthor (Switzerland)

1. Quote: “Buildings are not monuments, but rather senses experienced over time.”
2. Biography: Known for his poetic attention to materials and atmosphere, his work
evokes a strong sensory experience.
3. Style: Minimalism, Modernism
4. Notable Works: Thermal Baths Vals, Bruder Klaus Field Chapel

Bernard Tschumi (France)

1. Quote: “Space is not only what is seen, but what is experienced.”

2. Biography: A French architect and theorist whose work emphasizes the experiential
qualities of space through deconstructivist forms.
3. Style: Deconstructivism
4. Notable Works: Parc de la Villette, New Acropolis Museum

David Adjaye (United Kingdom/Ghana)

1. Quote: “Architecture can change lives.”

2. Biography: A British architect of Ghanaian descent known for his socially aware
designs that reflect cultural narratives.
3. Style: Contemporary
4. Notable Works: National Museum of African American History, Sugar Hill Housing
Rafael Moneo (Spain)

1. Quote: “Architecture is the art of reconciling opposites.”

2. Biography: A Spanish architect whose refined modernist approach integrates
functionality with expressive form.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: National Museum of Roman Art, Kursaal Congress Centre

Henning Larsen (Denmark)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a dialogue with the future.”

2. Biography: A Danish architect noted for creating luminous, context-sensitive
buildings that embrace natural light.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Harpa Concert Hall, Copenhagen Opera House

Bjarke Ingels (Denmark)

1. Quote: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

2. Biography: A pioneering Danish architect whose innovative, playful designs
challenge conventional urban planning.
3. Style: Sustainable, Modernism
4. Notable Works: 8 House, VIA 57 West

Sir John Soane (United Kingdom)

1. Quote: “Every square inch has a meaning.”

2. Biography: An early neoclassical architect celebrated for his inventive spatial
compositions and intricate interiors.
3. Style: Neoclassicism
4. Notable Works: Sir John Soane’s Museum, Bank of England (redesign)

Mario Botta (Switzerland)

1. Quote: “Architecture is the art of creating life.”

2. Biography: A Swiss architect whose bold use of geometry and materials has left a
distinctive mark on modern architecture.
3. Style: Modernism, Postmodernism
4. Notable Works: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Tschuggen Grand Hotel

Ricardo Bofill (Spain)

1. Quote: “Architecture is the art of adapting to time.”

2. Biography: A Spanish architect recognized for his eclectic, monumental designs that
reimagine urban spaces.
3. Style: Postmodernism
4. Notable Works: Walden 7, Les Espaces d’Abraxas
 Daniel Libeskind (Poland/USA)

1. Quote: “Architecture is about time and memory.”

2. Biography: A Polish-American architect whose emotionally charged, symbolic
designs speak to history and loss.
3. Style: Deconstructivism
4. Notable Works: Jewish Museum Berlin, One World Trade Center Master Plan

Paul Andreu (France)

1. Quote: “Architecture transcends the limits of time.”

2. Biography: A French architect celebrated for his designs of iconic transportation
hubs that combine beauty with functionality.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 1, Louvre Abu Dhabi (concept)

Vittorio Gregotti (Italy)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a dialogue with history.”

2. Biography: An Italian architect who masterfully integrated modern design with
historical context and local tradition.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Bergamo Cathedral, Bologna University buildings

Massimiliano Fuksas (Italy)

1. Quote: “Architecture is the translation of dreams into space.”

2. Biography: An innovative Italian architect celebrated for dynamic forms and a
visionary approach to materiality.
3. Style: Contemporary, Modernism
4. Notable Works: Zenith Music Hall, FieraMilano

Asia
Zaha Hadid (Iraq/UK)

1. Quote: “There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?”

2. Biography: An Iraqi-born architect whose futuristic, fluid designs broke boundaries
and redefined modern architecture.
3. Style: Deconstructivism
4. Notable Works: London Aquatics Centre, Guangzhou Opera House

Tadao Ando (Japan)

1. Quote: “I try to use the power of natural light to create a spiritual experience.”
2. Biography: A self-taught Japanese architect revered for his minimalist concrete
structures and sensitive use of light.
 3. Style: Minimalism, Modernism
4. Notable Works: Church of the Light, Row House in Sumiyoshi

Shigeru Ban (Japan)

1. Quote: “Architecture should provide shelter, hope, and a future.”

2. Biography: Renowned for his innovative use of unconventional materials—
especially paper—he champions sustainable design.
3. Style: Modernism, Sustainable
4. Notable Works: Paper Church, Centre Pompidou-Metz

Fumihiko Maki (Japan)

1. Quote: “Space is both a physical and a poetic element.”

2. Biography: A Japanese architect whose elegant, refined designs combine
functionality with poetic spatial narratives.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: 4 World Trade Center (master plan), Tokyo Metropolitan
Gymnasium

Kengo Kuma (Japan)

1. Quote: “Architecture is an art of layering.”

2. Biography: Celebrated for integrating natural materials and landscapes, Kuma
creates buildings that blend into their environment.
3. Style: Contemporary, Sustainable
4. Notable Works: Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, Nagasaki Prefectural Art
Museum

Toyo Ito (Japan)

1. Quote: “I strive to discover new expressions of the modern city.”

2. Biography: A visionary Japanese architect whose innovative designs redefine urban
space and technological integration.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Sendai Mediatheque, Tama Art University Library

Kazuyo Sejima (Japan)

1. Quote: “Simplicity allows for clarity in design.”

2. Biography: Co-founder of SANAA, Sejima is celebrated for creating fluid, transparent
spaces that evoke openness.
3. Style: Minimalism, Contemporary
4. Notable Works: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, New Museum of
Contemporary Art
 Ryue Nishizawa (Japan)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a living dialogue with the environment.”

2. Biography: As a co-founder of SANAA, Nishizawa’s subtle and innovative designs
redefine spatial experience.
3. Style: Minimalism, Contemporary
4. Notable Works: LUMA Arles, Rolex Learning Center

Kisho Kurokawa (Japan)

1. Quote: “Symbiosis is the future of architecture.”

2. Biography: A pioneer of the Metabolist movement, his visionary ideas and dynamic
forms have left a lasting legacy.
3. Style: Metabolism
4. Notable Works: Nakagin Capsule Tower, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts

Latin America
Oscar Niemeyer (Brazil)

1. Quote: “I have never been able to imagine a straight line in architecture.”

2. Biography: A Brazilian modernist celebrated for his fluid, sculptural forms and
visionary designs in urban planning.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Brasília, Niterói Contemporary Art Museum

Luis Barragán (Mexico)

1. Quote: “Architecture is the miracle of a sunny day.”

2. Biography: A master of color and minimalism, his emotionally charged designs
evoke tranquility and spirituality.
3. Style: Modernism, Minimalism
4. Notable Works: Casa Estudio Luis Barragán, San Cristóbal Stables

Enrique Norten (Mexico)

1. Quote: “Design is about connecting people and places.”

2. Biography: A prominent Mexican architect and urban designer, known for
innovative, context-sensitive projects.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Jockey Club, National Auditorium

Ricardo Legorreta (Mexico)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a reflection of cultural identity.”

2. Biography: Recognized for bold, colorful, and modern reinterpretations of
traditional forms in his designs.
 3. Style: Postmodernism
4. Notable Works: Camino Real Hotel, Camino Real Residences

Cesar Pelli (Argentina/USA)

1. Quote: “I believe in blending art and functionality.”

2. Biography: An Argentine-born architect renowned for his modern skyscrapers and
transformative urban projects.
3. Style: Modernism
4. Notable Works: Petronas Towers, World Financial Center

Africa & Oceania

Francis Kéré (Burkina Faso)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a means to empower communities.”

2. Biography: A Burkinabé architect celebrated for sustainable, community‐focused
projects that adapt to local conditions.
3. Style: Sustainable, Vernacular
4. Notable Works: Gando Primary School, Burkina Faso Cultural Centre

Glenn Murcutt (Australia)

1. Quote: “Touch the earth lightly.”

2. Biography: An Australian architect whose environmentally responsive and minimal
designs harmonize with nature.
3. Style: Sustainable, Minimalism
4. Notable Works: Simpson-Lee House, Marie Short House

Additional European Architects

Sverre Fehn (Norway)

1. Quote: “Architecture is the interplay of light, space, and material.”

2. Biography: A Norwegian modernist known for context-sensitive designs that
capture the essence of Nordic light and landscape.
3. Style: Modernism, Nordic Classicism
4. Notable Works: Nordic Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, Hedmark Museum

Gae Aulenti (Italy)

1. Quote: “Architecture is a journey of transformation.”

2. Biography: An Italian architect and designer celebrated for adaptive reuse projects
that breathe new life into historic structures.
3. Style: Postmodernism
4. Notable Works: Musée d’Orsay conversion, Gare d’Orsay