Theory of Architecture 2: Key Architects and Philosophies

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering major architects, their design philosophies, and signature styles from the UST College of Architecture handout.

Louie Sullivan

Known as the Father of Modern Skyscrapers, he advocated that ―Form follows function‖; his Sullivaneque style and use of terra cotta designs are often associated with the Art Nouveau movement.

Daniel Burnham

Considered the preeminent Architect in America who believed in making ―big plans‖; he is known for the World's Columbian Exposition and plans for major cities like Chicago, Manila, and San Francisco.

Adolf Loos

Proclaimed that ―Ornament equals crime‖ and developed the Raumplan system of contiguous, merging spaces where the lack of ornament signaled spiritual strength.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

A minimalist championing ―Less is More‖ and material honesty; his ―Skin and bone architecture‖ is synonymous with the International Style.

Le Corbusier

Defined the house as ―A machine for a living‖ and established the ―Five Points in Architecture‖ including pilotis, free plan, free facade, long horizontal windows, and roof gardens.

Domino House

An open floor plan concept by Le Corbusier consisting of concrete slabs supported by minimal reinforced concrete columns with a side stairway.

Antoni Gaudi

A Spanish architect who stated ―Straight lines belong to man, curve lines belong to God‖; his work uses organic motifs, hyperboloids, and paraboloids, as seen in the Sagrada Família.

Victor Horta

A leading Belgian Art Nouveau architect famous for ―The Belgian Line,‖ characterized by organic, swirling plant-like forms and sensuous double curves.

Walter Gropius

The founder of the Bauhaus school; he emphasized that design should be functional, based on a wedding of art and engineering, with extensive use of glass.

Jorn Utzon

The architect of the Sydney Opera House whose forms are described as poetic inventions possessing sculptural harmony and structural integrity.

Louis Isadore Kahn

Noted for creating formal distinctions between ―served spaces‖ (primary functions) and ―servant spaces‖ (stairwells, restrooms, mechanical rooms).

Alvar Aalto

He argued that ―Form does not follow function‖ and that design should instead comply with the standard of human beings or space users through organic forms.

Philip Johnson

His modern design principles emphasize architectural volume over mass, the rejection of symmetry, and the rejection of applied decoration.

Frank Lloyd Wright

The pioneer of Organic Architecture and the ―Prairie House,‖ which is marked by horizontal lines, hipped roofs with broad eaves, and integration with the landscape.

Eero Saarinen

An architect known for Miesian influence, organic expressionism, and abstract expressionism; famous for works like the TWA Terminal and the Gateway Arch.

Pier Luigi Nervi

Believed in ―Engineering as an art‖ and developed ferro-cemento, a material made of steel mesh and concrete, to achieve ―Structural correctness.‖

Robert Venturi

Challenged minimalism with the phrase ―Less is a bore,‖ arguing that structure and decoration should remain separate entities.

Sir Norman Foster

Often called the ―Hero of high-tech,‖ he views architecture as a synthesis of structure, services, and ecology.

Renzo Piano

Advocates for the ―Construction of emotions with space‖ and sustainable architecture that focuses on social encounters and habitability.

Richard Rogers

A ―High-tech iconoclast‖ whose works enthusiastically embrace a technological future and functionalist tradition with uninterrupted interior spaces.

Santiago Calatrava

An architect of bridges whose sculptural, dynamic structures use a triad of glass, steel, and cement to express the energy of the human spirit.

Michael Graves

A Post-modernist known for ―Figurative Architecture,‖ rewriting the language of color, and defining windows as distinct elements within the wall.

Frank Owen Gehry

A deconstructivist proponent of ―Thinking outside the box‖ who does not believe form follows function, known for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Rem Koolhaas

A deconstructivist who views architecture as an act to edit function and human activities.

Ieoh Ming Pei

Known as the last master of high modernist architecture, his work features abstract forms and geometrical simplicity using steel, concrete, and glass.

Tadao Ando

Japanese architect known for large concrete walls, the creative use of natural light, and the ―Realm of stillness‖ in his designs.

Kenzo Tange

A key figure in Metabolism and Structuralism who combined traditional Japanese style with modernism.

Arata Isozaki

Inspired by the Japanese New Wave (Metabolism), his style features dramatic forms of steel and concrete with bold geometric and vaulted structures.

Minoru Yamasaki

Associated with International Style ―Gothic‖ and modern minimalism; he designed the original World Trade Center in New York.

Kisho Kurokawa

A proponent of the Metabolist Movement who advocated for ―Ecology architecture,‖ sustainable architecture, and symbiosis.

Toyo Ito

Believed architecture is a ―dress for individuals of urban life‖ and used lightweight, permeable membranes like perforated aluminum panels.

Kenneth Yeang

A pioneer of ―Bioclimatic‖ Skyscrapers and ―Vertical landscaping,‖ he views skyscrapers as cities in the sky.

Zaha Hadid

A deconstructivist and 'Neo-Suprematist' whose designs include fragmented convex geometrical forms and gravity-defying, revolutionary movement.

Jean Nouvel

An experimental architect whose designs feature an interplay of transparency, shadow, and light.

Thom Mayne

Founder of Morphosis; he uses unconventional forms and materials like glass, concrete, and steel to deliver innovative work on tight budgets.

Richard Meier

Focuses on ―Light, color and place,‖ often utilizing a play of volumes and white as his dominant color.

Hani Rashid

An architect who merges art and architecture through interactive digital design and fluid, dimensionless creations.

Moshe Safdie

Refined cellular housing schemes and innovative prefabricated housing complexes, such as Habitat ‘67.

Cesar Pelli

Argues that aesthetic qualities should grow from specific project characteristics like location, construction technology, and purpose.

Oscar Niemeyer

Known as the ―Scuptor of monuments,‖ he mixed volumes and empty space to create unconventional patterns often supported by pilotis.

Greene and Greene

Masters of the ―ultimate bungalow‖ who emphasized traditional Arts and Crafts, complex woodwork, and joinery.

Herzog & de Meuron

Architects associated with organic architecture and minimalism, known for the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest).

Helmut Jahn

Coined the term ―archi-neering‖ to describe the fusion of architecture and engineering, emphasizing glazing technology and transparency.

Luis Barragan

Mexican architect who integrated water features and vibrant colors into his spatial and ―musical‖ architecture.

Francisco ―Bobby‖ Manosa

Stated that Filipino values, climate, and indigenous materials like bamboo and coconut make architecture truly Filipino.

Leandro Locsin

Believed architecture is reflective of culture and times; he is known for concrete elements that articulate floating volumes.

Carlos Santos-Viola

Architect of the Iglesia ni Cristo chapels, which feature geometric forms garnished with Gothic revival and Baroque lines.

Pablo Antonio

A pioneer of modern Philippine architecture who used massive simple lines and Art Deco geometric patterns.

Carlos Arguelles

New style of architecture that eschewed extraneous ornament and sought to express form as a product of function

Tomas Mapua

Recognized as the first registered architect in the Philippines.

Juan Nakpil

Filipino architect whose style incorporated French Beaux Arts, Art Deco, and the International Style.

Jose Ma. Zaragoza y Velez

Known for a ―transcendental aesthetic,‖ he was called the architect for God and for men due to his many religious works.

Gabriel Formoso y Papa

Viewed architecture as a fine art that is social in nature and characterized by simplicity.

Fernando Ocampo y Hizon

A pioneer of modern Filipino architecture who was a traditionalist in design but utilized Art Deco ornaments.

Andres Luna de San Pedro

revivalist and modern styles, neo-baroque Style

Jorge Y. Ramos

Argued that architecture should be functional without sacrificing the human element and that architecture designed against nature fails.

Felino Palafox jr.

An architect and urban planner, Designed PMD Center, KSA

Paulo Mendes da Rocha

A 2006 Pritzker Prize winner and ―Brazilian Brutalist‖ known for bold simplicity and innovative use of concrete.

Glen Murcutt

A 2002 Pritzker winner whose motto is ―Touch the earth lightly‖; he designs economical, multi-functional rural houses that harmonize with Australian light and wind.

Sverre Fehn

1997 pritzker prize awardee, integrating modernism with traditional vernacular architecture, he is known for simple timber houses and museum designs.

Rafael Moneo

A Spanish architect who creates a balance between tradition and innovation by respecting urban context and architectural history.

Christian de Portzamparc

1994 Pritzker Prize Awardee, Noted for bold designs, prismatic forms, and fragmentation that reflect a sensibility to the town environment.

Alvaro Siza Vieira

1987 Pritzker Prize Awardee, a minimalist and expressionist architect whose work emphasizes the quality of light and scale, regardless of project size.

Aldo Rossi

1990 Pritzker Prize Awardee, A Neo-rationalist who used building blocks, iron beams, and classical portals to create a connection with the architectural past.

Gordon Bunshaft

1988 Pritzker Prize Awardee, a minimalist contemporary classicist who emphasized artwork, interior detailing, and furnishing as major building features.

Gottfried Bohm

1986 Pritzker Prize Awardee, An expressionist and post-Bauhaus architect known for designing many churches in Germany using molded concrete.

Hans Hollein

1985 Pritzker Prize Awardee, A Post-Modernist noted for ―Art Deco meets Pop‖ designs and fantastic collaged images.:

Kevin Roche

1982 Pritzker Prize Awardee, An architect characterized by his creative and extensive work with glass.

James Stirling

1981 Pritzker Prize Awardee, Followed Post-modern Classicism, believing architecture is about organizing spaces and movement for a place and activity.