Famous Architects

Architects have been and will remain at the forefront of designing the built environment that surrounds us. As professional experts in the field of building, design and construction, architects use their creativity to simplify the complex process of designing and build socially and economically sustainable cities and communities. Following are some world famous architects known for their unique creative skills, vision and contributions.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of America's most famous architects. Although he had no formal education in architecture, he believed that his work as a farm hand in Wisconsin made him very perceptive and helped develop his spatial abilities. After studying engineering at the University of Wisconsin for a few semesters at the age of 15, he left to apprentice with J.L. Silsbee and Louis Sullivan. After working with them for six years, Wright opened his own practice. During his 70-year career, Wright designed 1,141 buildings, including homes, offices, churches, schools, libraries, bridges and museums. One of his most important contributions was the Prairie House style of architecture. He experimented with obtuse angles and circles, creating unusually shaped structures, an example of which is the spiral Guggenheim Museum (1943-49). He also developed a series of low-cost homes which he called Usonian. Although he earned recognition in the early 1900s as one of the popular modern architects he became the recipient of the American Institute of Architects only in 1949.

Some of his more famous projects were:

Frederick C. Robie House 1909

Unity Temple 1906

Fallingwater 1936

Johnson Wax Administration Building 1936

I.M. Pei

I. M. Pei one of the most famous modern architects was born in Canton, China in 1917. Pei grew up in Shanghai, but in 1935 he moved to the United States to study architecture and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and later at Harvard University. He became the Director of Architecture at the real estate development firm, Webb & Knapp in 1948 and then founded his own firm in 1958.

Over the past fifty years, Ieoh Ming Pei has designed more than fifty buildings across the globe including industrial skyscrapers, museums and low income housing. Concerened more with function than theory, the defining feature of I. M. Pei's style is the use of large, abstract forms and sharp, geometric designs. His glass clad structures are born from high tech modernist movement.

During his career, Pei and his firm have won numerous architecture awards. He won the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1983.

Some of his more noteworthy buildings are:

The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University

Bank of China Tower

John Hancock Tower

Louvre Pyramid

National Gallery

Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier, born in the late 19th century, was a pioneer of modern architecture. He founded what is popularly known as the International style or the Bauhaus. The essence of modern architecture as advocated by him was described in his 5-point theory that later became the guiding principle for many of his designs.

Freestanding support pillars

Open floor plan independent from the supports

Vertical facade that is free from the supports

Long horizontal sliding windows

Roof gardens

While the earlier buildings by Le Corbusier, called pure prisms were smooth, white concrete and glass structures elevated above the ground, his later designs used rough, heavy forms of stone, concrete, stucco and glass. He was a visionary who not only anticipated the role of the automobile but envisaged that cities would have big apartment buildings with park-like settings. Le Corbusier, as a famous architect was also known for his innovations in urban planning and his solutions for low income housing. Moreover, he believed that the stark buildings he designed would contribute to clean, bright, healthy cities. Le Corbusier's dreams of such an urban haven were aptly realized in the Unité d'Habitation, or the "Radiant City," in Marseilles, France which was built to incorporate shops, meeting rooms, and living quarters for 1,600 people in a 17-story structure. During his long life, Le Corbusier designed buildings in Europe, India, and Russia. Le Corbusier also designed one building in the United States and one in South America.

His most famous buildings are:

Palace for the League of Nations, Geneva 1927

Villa Savoye, Poissy, France 1929

Swiss Building, Cité Universitaire, Paris 1931

The Secretariat at the United Nations Headquarters, New York 1952

R. Buckminister Fuller

Born of poverty and bankruptcy, Buckheimer Fuller had contemplated suicide before his life changed courses and he became a famous architect known for his unique architectural styles dominating the 20th century. He believed that his life was an experiment and that it belonged to the universe. At the age of 32, he embarked on a journey to discover what a penniless and unknown individual might have to offer effectively to humanity. He searched for ways to do more with less so that all the people could be fed and have a shelter over their heads.

Although he never obtained a degree in architecture, he was a modern architect and engineer who designed revolutionary structures. His famous Dymaxion House was a pre-fabricated, pole-supported dwelling. His Dymaxion car was a streamlined, three-wheeled vehicle with the engine in the rear while his Dymaxion Air-Ocean Map projected a spherical world as a flat surface with no visible distortion. However, Fuller's greatest contribution is perhaps the geodesic dome - a remarkable, sphere-like structure based on theories of "energetic-synergetic geometry'' which he developed during WWII. Efficient and economical, the geodesic dome was widely hailed as a possible solution to world housing shortages.

Although his Dymaxion car did not achieve popularity and his design for geodesic domes is rarely used, Fuller made his mark in areas of architecture, mathematics, philosophy, religion, urban development and design.

His most important works included:

1932: The portable Dymaxion house manufactured

1934: The Dymaxion car

1938: Nine Chains to the Moon

1949: Developed the Geodesic Dome

1967: US Pavilion at Expo '67, Montreal, Canada

1969: Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth

1970: Approaching the Benign Environment

Louis Sullivan

Louis Sullivan is known to be America's first and original modern architect, as he believed in creating his own designs and forms rather than imitating older historic styles. The unique element in Sullivan's design was that he was able to create aesthetic unity in buildings that were tall instead of the typical wide buildings of the older times. He often used masonry walls with terra cotta designs, with intertwining vines and leaves combined with crisp geometric shapes. Louis Sullivan believed that the exterior of an office building should reflect its interior structure and functions. Ornamentation should be as natural as possible and used only when needed. He rejected the classical references and the ubiquitous arches.

Some of his important buildings are

Wainwright Building

National Farmers'Bank (Sullivan's "Arch")

The Bradley House

William Brister - [http://www.architecturaldesign.tv] - All about Architecture.

Famous People with Bipolar

History is strewn with great people who were and are supposedly bipolar - from ancient time to the present.

Not only are there many creative and gifted individuals who were or are bipolar, many were major players in forming Western History as we know it.

You can focus your mind on such world conquerors as Alexander the Great and Napoleon who impacted world geography. In the 1920's and 1930's, the evil and bipolar Hitler gained much power and left his stamp on the Jewish Experience, for eternity. He met his match with the great bipolar English Statesman, Winston Churchill.

Our western way of thinking is influenced particularly by three Greek Philosophers - Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who ere and are rumored to be bipolar. So whether you are an idealist or realist, you are in great debt to bipolar men.

Aristotle was considered by many to be the Father of Science by many. We also owe a great deal in our thinking scientifically to the British thinker, Sir Isaac Newton, who was another genius bipolar.

If you are into drawing, painting, sculpture, and architecture, probably you idealize a master of all 4 -the magnificent Michelangelo. In the 1800's the Dutch impressionist, van Gogh not only created great paintings while bipolar, unfortunately ending his life in suicide, but so was his great French friend and fellow artist, Paul Gauguin. Pablo Picasso, who help invent Cubism, and Jackson Pollock, who invented

Abstract Expressionism, were two gifted 20th century bipolar artists. There were many others.

If you are into the beauty of word architecture, there are many gifted poets and writers. Whether you enjoy the poems of Keats, Shelly, Lord Byron, or Sylvia Plath, or such novels as Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain; The Sun also Rises. By Ernest Hemingway; or The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald; you are reading the works of bipolar artists. If you prefer the writings of Virginia Woolf, you are again reading the works of a genius with bipolar. Some say that F. Scott Fitzgerald wife from Montgomery, Alabama was also just as gifted, and happened also to be bipolar.

World news is important to many people, and the business maverick, Ted Turner brought news into your home 24 hours a day. Why yes, he is bipolar? Who say bipolar disorder can keep you from becoming a billionaire?

Perhaps Movies are a past time of yours. You can watch the beautiful 20th century icon, Marilyn Monroe

In Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, or Some Like it Hot. Another beautiful bipolar life cut short by suicide.
If you are a Robin Williams or Jim Carrey fan, you have numerous choices in what movies to watch.
These bipolar comic geniuses have portrayed many characters.

Now even the music icon and pop star, Britney Spears is rumored to be bipolar. Of course the list could go on and on, ad inifinitum. For, it's a bipolar world, after all.

August Holcombe is a baby boomer, who came of age in the late 60's and early 70's. I first became interested in mental illness in a sociology course at Auburn University in the late 60's after we visited a State Mental Hospital, a state's women's prison, and a state's men's prison. A girlfriend of mine, who happened to be a brilliant and gifted artist, committed suicide in 1982. I've had depression on and off since my late twenties.

You may visit my website on bipolar at The Bipolar Rollercoaster

Cyclades, Greece - The Most Famous Greek Islands

For a few decades now, the Cyclades have captivated the hearts and minds of tourists coming here for vacations in summer. These Cyclades islands are pretty renowned for their unique location in the Mediterranean region and the plethora of exotic landscapes that each of these Greek islands is blessed with. To any traveler, a vacation in these Greek islands would definitely be pleasurable.

Whether you come here with family and friends, on your honeymoon or if you travel alone, these Cyclades islands help you to relax and unwind in an unknown location with peace of mind and a sense of security. Each of these islands is very well developed as tourist destinations, especially the islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos. The Cyclades are located right on the Aegean Sea and cater mesmerizing sea views for the tourists to enjoy as they come here.

The architecture is the same on each and every Cycladic island. Tourists will come across white cubic shaped residential houses especially in the seaside and mountain villages. The islands in the Cyclades cluster have undulating landscapes and the mountain slopes are covered with dense fir and pine forests, over grown shrubs and flower plants among these forests. The valleys are found to be terraced and have many series of olive plantations and vineyards.

The wine of Cyclades islands is absolutely delicious and many travelers take back bottles of wine from these islands to their homes. Among these islands, Naxos wine is often regarded by locals as the perfect remedy for a broken heart. The beaches of the Cyclades are simply gorgeous and they have all kinds of sand from black, red, golden to white, depending on the island you are visiting.

The islanders of the Cyclades islands are very culture oriented and they have maintained their age-old traditions that have passed down from one generation to another. They are still involved with agricultural work and tend their sheep and cattle on the meadows. However, the younger generation residing in the capital towns is more inclined towards tourism business and has opened restaurants, car rental agencies, shops, studios and apartments, all for the benefit of tourists.

The Cycladic cuisine is very popular as most of the islands have their very own special dish that they serve almost everywhere in each restaurant and tavern. Ouzo, a favourite drink of the Greeks is probably found in every bar and tavern and often generous amounts are given to the tourists. As earlier mentioned, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos tend to receive more tourists in the Cyclades.

Santorini is an island with an enchanting history and an even more enchanting landscape. The two popular villages Fira and Oia, are situated on the edge of the caldera on imposing cliff sides and offer spectacular views of the giant caldera and amazing sunrise and sunsets. A perfect island to get married or spend your honeymoon, Santorini offers the most gorgeous view to the sea, its sunken volcano and the famous sunset.

Naxos, equally gorgeous but with another sense of beauty, may not offer view to a volcano, but still it has lovely sunsets. Some of the best beaches in the Cyclades are found in Naxos, while the mainland is filled with mountainous, traditional villages and lush greenery.

The need for unending party atmosphere is fulfilled in the Cyclades in the islands of Mykonos and Paros. Most of the beaches here have nightclubs, bars and beach bars where day and night parties take place. Paradise in Mykonos and Pounta in Paros are the most famous beaches for their crazy nightlife and the party atmosphere. These are the favourite islands for young visitors in the Cyclades, however more calm places can also easily be found all over this popular complex of islands.

More information and photos of Cyclades islands and Cyclades hotels.

Athens Acropolis - The Most Famous Ancient Site in Greece

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The word Acropolis in the ancient times actually meant the highest point of the town. The ancient Greeks used to build their towns in plains near or around a rocky hill that could enable them to fortify and defend it during invasion or wars. The word Acropolis refers to both the hill and the construction built on it. It served in many cases as the residential place of the ruler, a religious centre, the centre of public life and also a place of refuge for the citizens.

The Acropolis of Athens Greece, also known as the Sacred Rock, is one of the oldest monuments in Europe. This rock was first inhabited in the Neolithic Era, as archaeologists have found some remains of its early inhabitants. However, it is during the 5th century B.C., also known as the Golden Age of Athens, that Acropolis flourished and sacred monuments were built on it. Pericles, who was a famous Athenian statesman at that time, had the original idea for these constructions. He put Phedias, a talented sculptor, and Ictinus and Callicrates, who were architects, in charge to make Athens Acropolis the best monument in Greece, as he had imagined it.

Acropolis was built on a limestone hill that rises about 150 meters above sea level. It consisted of the Parthenon, a magnificent temple dedicated to Goddess Athena, the protector of the town; Propylaea, a monumental marble gateway and entrance to the Acropolis; Erechtheum, a temple famous for the perfection of its details; and the Temple of Athena Nike, built to honor the goddess who brought so many victories to the town.

The Propylaea was designed by the Greek architect, Mnesicles. It is a monumental gateway and the main entrance to the Acropolis, made up of white marble. It has a central section with wide openings and two wings. The central section consists of six columns.

The Temple of Athena Nike was designed by Greek architect Callicrates. It is located just outside Propylaea and constitutes the first building which the visitors come across as they make their way to the Acropolis. There are four Ionic columns that stand in a row at the front and back of the temple. A carved frieze just below the roof depicts the conference of the Gods on the east side and battle scenes from Greek mythology on the other sides.

Parthenon is a large temple built entirely of marble from mount Pentelikon by architects Ictinus and Callicrates. This temple is considered as the greatest masterpiece of ancient Greek architecture. It was built in the Doric and Ionic styles with eight columns along each end and seventeen columns along each side. It once housed the thirty-three feet tall statue of Athena made of ivory and gold by sculptor Phedias. The friezes around the roof of Parthenon used to depict various scenes of Greek mythology, such as the birth of goddess Athena and the contest between Athena and Poseidon for the rule over the city, as well as scenes from Panathinea festival, the greatest festival in ancient Athens. These friezes are now hosted in the British Museum and the Greek government is doing much effort to get them back.

The Erechtheum was designed by Mnesicles. This temple got its name from Erechtheus, who was considered as a hero in Greek mythology. On the southern side of the temple, the statues of Kariatides are seen, used as columns and carved in the shape of female figures.

With the passage of time, natural degradation along with human interference affected the Acropolis. When Christianity was introduced in ancient Greece, many of these monuments were converted to churches. In the Medieval period, these structures were turned into headquarters of foreign rulers. Athens was ravaged by many wars and invasions and attacks on monumental structures like the Acropolis led to tragic damages.

In September 1687, the Acropolis suffered its greatest damage. A siege was led by the Venetians towards the Turks for the conquest of the town. The Turks had turned Parthenon into gunpowder storage and a Venetian bomb that hit directly Parthenon caused the gunpowder to explode and to destroy most part of the temple.

Moreover, in the early 19th century, Parthenon lost its amazing friezes when lord Elgin took them, with the permission of the then Turkish government. These friezes are known since then as the Elgin Marbles and the Greek government has started a great effort to get these friezes back and host them in the New Acropolis Museum that is being built right across the ancient site.

In the 20th century, a building program started so that all monuments of the Rock of the Acropolis will be restored. Restoration works are carried on till today. The high goal of this effort is to make the Acropolis as glorious as it was in the ancient times.

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