
Greatest architects of the modern world: our 5 favorites
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Who are the greatest architects of the modern world? Even if you are not a professional architect, you have certainly heard of modern architecture . After all, their works beautify the landscapes of many cities around the world and impress people to this day.
This architectural style, which emerged in the 20th century, was marked by digital transformations and discussions about inequalities at the time and, therefore, its designs have simple elements.
And if you've ever dreamed of living in a listed building designed by a great architect, just take a look at our apartments!
The buildings are generally made with geometric lines, have integrated spaces and are functional. But that doesn't mean they are banal. In fact, they are quite original and impressive. That's why it's nice to get to know them and the professionals responsible for them.
So, keep reading our post to check out the 5 greatest architects of the modern world and their main works!
Greatest modern architects: Le Corbusier

Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris (1887–1965), better known by his pseudonym Le Corbusier, was a Swiss architect who created the 5 points of modern architecture (open plan, open façade, ribbon windows, garden terrace and pilotis). There is no need to explain further why he is so important to this style, right?
He made his first project at the age of 19 and built much of his career in France, a country to which he moved in 1917, at the age of 30. In 1930, Le Corbusier married the Frenchwoman Yvonne Gallis and became a French citizen.
During his career, he built some of the most important works of modern architecture, such as the Villa Savoye and the Unité d'habitation, both in France. In Brazil, the architect was called to act as a consultant for the project of the Gustavo Capanema Building (which at the time was the Ministry of Education and Health of Rio de Janeiro), carried out by a group of architects led by Lúcio Costa.
Between 1946 and 1947, Le Corbusier also worked with Oscar Niemeyer on the creation of the UN headquarters in New York.
Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) was an American architect, considered by many to be one of the greatest of all time. Although he began studying engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Wright never completed his studies.
He entered the world of architecture in practice, working as a draftsman in the office of architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee. Wright was initially known for his “Prairie Houses,” which were mostly horizontal, had few walls, and integrated well with the green areas that surrounded them.
Later, the architect created organic architecture, a branch of the modern style that combines nature with architectural works. This is why projects in this style are functional and take advantage of natural elements, such as lighting and ventilation.
His main works are the Cascade House (or Kaufmann House, in Pennsylvania), the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Ennis House, in Los Angeles.
Oscar Niemeyer , one of the greatest Brazilian architects

You probably don’t need any introduction to this architect, right? After all, Rio de Janeiro native Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012) is internationally recognized for his more than 600 modern works.
He studied at the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro (ENBA) and began his career in the office of Lúcio Costa and Carlos Leão. In Brazil, he was one of the pioneers of modern architecture and had the opportunity to work with one of the pioneers of the style in the world, Le Corbusier, in the creation of the Gustavo Capanema Building. Later, he also collaborated with the Swiss architect in the creation of the UN building.
Some of the hallmarks of Niemeyer's projects were the large windows and concrete buildings. He has many well-known works, among the most famous of which are some public buildings in Brasília, such as the Palácio do Planalto, Palácio da Alvorada and the National Congress.
In addition, Niemeyer left his mark on the center of São Paulo with the Copan , Montreal and Triângulo buildings. In the capital, he also left the Anhembi Sambadrome, the Memorial da América Latina and the Ibirapuera Park complex, built in partnership with Zenon Lotufo, Eduardo de Mello and Hélio Uchôa.
Lina Bo Bardi

Achillina Bo Bardi (1914-1992), or Lina Bo Bardi, was an Italian architect, born in Rome, who left great works for Brazil. She moved to the country with her husband, Pietro Maria Bardi, in the 1940s and initially they stayed in Rio de Janeiro.
But it was in São Paulo , the city to which they moved after a season in Rio, that the architect created her main modernist works. In this capital, Lina was called to design the headquarters of MASP (São Paulo Museum of Art) on Avenida Paulista, a museum created by Assis Chateaubriand and her husband Pietro. At the time, the museum was located in downtown São Paulo.
In São Paulo, Lina also designed Sesc Pompéia, Casa de Vidro and Teatro Oficina. In Salvador, Solar do Unhão is the hallmark of this Italian architect who is Brazilian at heart.
Lucio Costa

The son of a Brazilian admiral, Lúcio Costa (1902-1998) was born in France, as the family traveled a lot due to his father's work. In 1917, he returned to Brazil and studied architecture at Enba in Rio de Janeiro.
The architect was one of the pioneers of the modern style in the country and became director of Enba, in addition to designing several fundamental works for Brazil. While he was director, Costa met Niemeyer, who would later become an intern at his office and a partner in projects.
Lúcio Costa's main works are: the Gustavo Capanema Building, which he designed together with Le Corbusier, Niemeyer and other architects, the Brasília Pilot Plan, the Pacaembu Stadium (Paulo Machado de Carvalho Municipal Stadium) in São Paulo and the Brazilian Pavilion at the New York World's Fair.
Of course, there are other very important architects of the modern world in Brazil and other countries, but here we have selected only the 5 greatest so that you can learn more about them and get an idea of the incredible works that were done in this architectural style.
This way, you can discover more about the Brazilian landscape itself, which has several of these wonderful projects.
And now that you know who the 5 greatest architects of the modern world are, how about checking out what Brazilian architecture was like in downtown São Paulo between 1900 and 1930 to learn more about iconic projects that were done in Brazil? On our blog you can also find lots of things about architecture , check it out.