What is a Starchitect?
I.M. Pei, The Louvre Pyramid
The Age of the Starchitect
Frank Lloyd Wright
Throughout human history, the path and status of our civilization have been expressed through architecture. From marvels of the ancient world like the pyramids and the Greek temples to modern masterpieces like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, architecture has helped to define the cities where the buildings are found. They have become monuments and signposts for the state of our civilization.
The portmanteau"Starchitect" describes architects whose celebrity and acclaim have transformed them into architectural idols and given them some degree of fame among the general public.”
The concept of the starchitect is not new. In this post, we will explore the history of the starchitect and some examples of the masterpieces they have made and continue making an everlasting impact on the face of architecture.
A Look at the Historical Status of Architects
While the concept of the Starchitect is modern, giving architects celebrity status is not new. Architects have always served a critical function in the culture by bringing functionality and art to our utilitarian society.
Imhotep is often considered the first known architect. As well as being a doctor and polymath, he designed the first stepped pyramid. Michelangelo became a star in the art world, but he also was known for his significant influence on architecture. He challenged the concept of the basic elements of structures.
Frank O. Gehry
The tendency to give status and acclaim to artists first began during the Renaissance. In the past, artists generally worked under a patron – typically the Church or Rulers of the State. Depending on their work, their reputation would grow and often become commodified. Their growing reputations allowed their services to be purchased by different patrons.
The earliest record of celebrity status was a monograph by the artist/architect Giorgio Vasari titled “Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects." The title was first published in 1550 during the high point of the Renaissance.
Vasari was under the patronage of Grand Duke Cosimo I de Medici, who favored architects from Florence, where he resided. The importance of the book was the ability to consolidate reputation and status without having to see the works it described. Patronage from the Church and State continued through the enlightenment and early capitalism.
The development of the mass media, especially in the modern era, has been of central importance to architectural celebrity as it has in other walks of life.
The Rise of the Modern Starchitect
The main difference between the earliest architectural history and the birth of the Starchitect is that for the first time in history, the trends in architecture were broadcast in the global media. Breathtaking structures by I.M. Pei, Zaha Hadid, and Frank Gehry make great stories and have massive media appeal.
In the 1970s and 80s, the rise of post-modernism boosted the concept of the Starchitect. Avant-gardism was linked to popular culture. Postmodernism could be understood and enjoyed by the general public and still command critical approval.
During this classic period, Starchitects often built few structures. Many have become best known for their paper architecture - unbuilt or unbuildable works. Exhibitions of architecture began to attract crowds. Its accessible Pop sensibility gave rise, practically overnight, to a collectors market, catapulting the starchitects further into the limelight. Architects began to receive attention in mass-market publications that had not been seen since the death of Wright in 1959.
Zaha Hadid
In 1997, the Gehry's Guggenheim in Bilbao opened. It became accepted wisdom that a city could reverse struggling fortunes with a famous building, often a cultural attraction and a celebrity architect's signature.
Some Timeless Examples of Starchitecture
Many great modern architects have made an everlasting impact on the face of architecture today. Starchitects like F.L.Wright, Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, and Richard Rogers have left their marks in cities worldwide. Here are some examples.
Zaha Hadid – Guangzhao Opera House, The London Aquatics Center, Heydar Aliyev Centre
Hadid's exaggerated curves and deconstructivism philosophy make her ideas both radical and brilliant. Contrasting Gehry, Hadid's graceful curves are simpler and more organic. Her masterwork Aliyev Centre is unique because it is located in the Azerbaijani capital city Baku.
Richard Rogers, The Pompidou Center in Paris, the Millenium Dome in London, and the European Court in Strasbourg
A living legend in the field, having won every prestigious prize in Architecture, Roger's buildings have achieved iconic status. He is known for his skeletal exteriors exposing the inner workings of the buildings, as well as his adventurous design sense. Renzo Piano and Richard Roger's Centre Georges Pompidou achieved star status by turning itself inside out with exposed ducting, piping, and other essential services.
I.M. Pei, The Louvre Pyramid
The Louvre is an iconic Parisian monument. Built decades ago, it has housed the best art and culture have had to offer. Today, it is hard to imagine the Louvre without Pei's addition. Commissioned initially to tackle a traffic issue, Pei's glass pyramid first drew harsh criticism. The critics saw it as a threat to traditional French architecture. Along with serving as a new entry and focal point, the pyramid also expanded the museum adding underground galleries, labs, and storage. Pei's decision to put a stark glass pyramid in a traditionally French Renaissance context was a bold choice.
These are just a few examples of beauty that architecture and the starchitects who create it bring to our world. Emerging countries and cities seeking international acclaim and recognition see the value of endorsement from architects like these. The rise of the modern Starchitect has transformed the profession. Today, elite architects that have made their mark have become highly influential in the creative business world.