Architects are specialists that need to be highly skilled and talented in design and planning and render services in connection with the design and construction of buildings. Architecture varies greatly depending on the taste and style of the architect, and has generally evolved over the years. The following architects had their impact on architecture in the 20th century:

1. Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect and interior designer who designed more than 1,00 projects in his lifetime. Wright’s architecture work includes office buildings, schools, hotels, churches, and museums. Wright’s most popular and recognized work is probably the Solomon Guggenheim Museum in New York City, which is located on the city’s popular Fifth Avenue. Wright died in April of 1959, and was acknowledged in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects as being the greatest American architect of all time.


2. Frank Owen Gehry
Frank Owen Gehry is a Candian-American architect based in California. Gehry’s works include homes, offices, buildings and museums, which have become tourists attractions because of their distinct shapes and appearances. Gehry was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989. A few of Gehry’s most well known works include the Guggenheim Museum in Spain, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Dancing House Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, and the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis.


3-4. Charles and Ray Eames
Having a major contribution to modern architecture, couple Charles and Ray Eames were American born architects. Together they are well known for their works such as The Mathematica Exhibition, the Eames House and several other houses and churches. The Eames duo achieved international success also as designers of rugs, toys, stage and movie sets as well. The pair also won several awards and medals for their works in architecture and worked in modern furniture designs, which are also well known.


5. Kevin Roche
An Irish-American architect famous for his creativity with glass structures, Kevin Roche has been the recipient of many awards and prizes for his works. Roche, whose works can be seen in the US, France, Singapore, Ireland, and Spain has been the architect behind several museums, corporate headquarters, theaters, and universities. Some of Roche’s most notable works include the Ford Foundation Building and U. N. Plaza in New York, the Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta, and the Convention Centre Dublin in Ireland.


6. Le Corbusier
A Swiss architect, designer, and painter, Le Corbusier is famous for being one of the pioneers of modern architecture. Le Corbusier has major buildings and projects in Switzerland, France, Germany, and India, amongst many others. Of the many structures such as museums, homes, and churches Le Corbusier created, some of his best works included the Villa Savoye and The Notre Dame du Haut in France, and the Open Hand Monument in India.


7. Paolo Soleri
Paolo Soleri is an Italian-American architect who has won several awards and lifetime achievements and is known for his ecology based projects. Soleri has had his work exhibited in various forms worldwide and is well known for Cosanti, his residence and a gallery located in Arizona, which includes an “Earth House”, student dorms, studios, a swimming pool, and his residence.


8. Luis Barragan
Considered the most influential architect in Mexico, Luis Barragan was a self-trained architect. Barragan’s work, mostly done in Mexico, was influenced by European modernism of his time. Barragan was honored with prizes such as the Pritzker Prize in 1980. The home he built for himself in 1948, now a museum, was listed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.


9. Kenzo Tange
Known for combining modernism with traditional Japanese architecture, Japanese architect Kenzo Tange designed significant structures on 5 continents. Tange, who had numerous awards, medals and praises for his work, is well known for his many designs including, St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tokyo, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and the Tokyo Olympic Arenas.


10. Alvaro Siza
Alvaro Siza is a Portugese architect, whom has won many awards and prizes over his lifetime for his work and is one of the best known Portugese architects of the 20th century. One of Siza’s most famous designs is the Faculty of Architecture Building of the University of Porto. Siza’s contemporary designs can be seen in restaurants, pools, schools, buildings, and houses he has designed over the years.

Architecture is one of the most visible forms of art in our day-to-day lives. Many of the buildings that surround us were designed and constructed with an aesthetic purpose, and if they were done right, they immeasurably enhance the location in which they’re situated. The 20th century was an interesting time for architecture as several movements came and went, reflecting the styles, sensibilities and priorities of their eras. Here are 10 essential architectural movements from that time period.

1. Art Nouveau
   Art nouveau architecture is characterized by odd shapes, an abundance of arches and curves, and surfaces that feature curvy floral and plant designs. The style came to prominence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in European cities, particularly in Paris, where the Maison de l’Art Nouveau gallery operated by Siegfried Bing displayed the art style.



2. Arts and Crafts
   The arts and crafts movement coincided with the art nouveau movement, placing and increased emphasis on conforming to the structure’s surroundings while remaining aesthetically pleasing. One of the pioneers of the movement, William Morris, sought to depart from the overused Victorian architecture and bring forth a style based on the handicrafts movement. Houses during the era contained a more personable feel, as they were constructed as bungalows.



3. Art Deco
   Art deco architecture is a combination of many different preexisting styles, but with a modern twist. These buildings feature materials such as stainless steel and aluminum, and often the sunburst motif, which can be seen on the Chrysler Building in New York – one of the most well-known art deco structures in the world. It was constructed between the two World Wars, when the style was at its peak in popularity.



4. Futurist
   Unlike other architectural movements during the early 20th century, the futurist movement attempted to ignore past styles and devote itself to creating something entirely new. Antonio Sant’Elia was a major proponent of futurist architecture, writing the Manifesto of Futurist Architecture in 1914, which states the need to use only new technology and materials in the construction of these structures. During the ’50s, Googie Architecture notably emerged as a type of futurism.



5. Modernist
   Modern architecture is simple and unornamental, differing from other movements in order to adapt to social and political changes. The German school for design, Bauhaus, is credited with influencing the modern movement. Founder Walter Gropius designed the Bauhaus building, which serves as an early example of the style. Modernist architecture became most popular after World War II and continues to be an often used style in major cities today.



6. International Style
   International style is an offshoot of modernist architecture, but with a slightly different approach stylistically. A book authored by Philip Johnson and Henry-Russell Hitchcock gave birth to the term, laying out three principles. The style became common in the developed world after World War II, featuring a square appearance as priority is given to the efficient use of space.



7. Expressionist
   Expressionist architecture is perhaps the most eye-catching style popularized during the 20th century. It’s characterized by a rejection of conventionalism for creativity, which is evident in its odd and inconsistent shapes and naturalistic themes. The final product is a reflection of the inner feelings of the designer, hence the use of the term “expressionism.”



8. Brutalism
   Concrete was heavily used in the formation of buildings during the mid-to-late 20th century in England, when communities needed cost-effective ways to rebuild after World War II. Brutalist buildings can be identified by their consistently blocky appearances, which many find aesthetically displeasing and downright ugly. Notably, Prince Charles has publically criticized the presence of the buildings in England.



9. Postmodern
   Postmodern architecture contrasts from modernism in that it requires creativity and ornamentation. The movement gained steam in the ’60s and ’70s as architects attempted to combine past styles while straying away from an overemphasis on functionalism. Appearance became a priority, as evidenced by the construction of Houston’s Bank of America Center and Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers in the latter years of the 20th century.



10. New Urbanism
    New Urbanism is the recent answer to urban sprawl. The goal is to facilitate a true sense of community within American cities by enabling foot traffic, increasing affordable housing, and practicing historic preservation and sustainability. An emphasis is placed on visual coherence in the construction of neighborhoods, incorporating a mostly historical architectural styles adapted to the setting.