Following in Father's Footsteps: 5 Amazing Father-Child Architect Duos

Many father-child duos have left an everlasting mark on the built environment through their legacies and collaborations in the field of architecture. Their collective projects not only emphasize familial bonds but also highlight the gradual development and continuity of architectural excellence.

(Photo : Tatler Asia/@pei.architects )

1. Frank and John Lloyd Wright

A lot of people consider Frank Lloyd Wright to be the most famous architect in the United States. As mentioned, it is easy to identify his distinctive Prairie Style through his most well-known works, such as Fallingwater and Robbie House. Nevertheless, Wright's projects were not the only blessing he bestowed upon the business. His son, John Lloyd Wright, continued to build on the Wright name and heritage as an architect, and in 1918, he even collaborated with his father to create 

2. Jacques V and Ange-Jacques Gabriel

Aside from becoming the most well-known architect of the 18th century, Ange-Jacques Gabriel was also the chief assistant to his father, Jacques Gabriel, who was the Premier architect at Versailles beginning in 1735. Moreover, in 1742, Ange took over his father's role and became famous for his contributions to places like Bordeaux, Place de la Bourse, and Chateau de Choisy.

3. Eliel and Eero Saarinen

Gold medals were awarded to both father and son by the American Institute of Architects, indicating that the fruit did not fall far away from the tree in this family. Eliel was responsible for the design of the Helsinki Central Railway Station as well as the National Museum of Finland before he eventually moved to the United States from Finland. After beginning his career at the architectural office that his father owned, Eero went on to build a number of notable structures, including the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the Washington Dulles International Airport. As a result, he is considered to be one of the most prominent American architects of the 20th century.

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4. Hijjas Kasturi and Serena Hijjas

With his renowned monuments, Hijjas Kasturi has left an indelible impact on the built landscape of Malaysia, earning him the title of 'father of modern Malaysian architecture.' The Maybank Tower in Kuala Lumpur is a notable example of modern Malaysian architecture that incorporates traditional elements. Its shape was inspired by an upward-pointing arrow, which may be described as a unique and asymmetrical blade. After a formative period at Foster + Partners UK, Serena Hijjas, his daughter, adopted her father's contextual tropical design credo upon joining Hijjas Architects + Planners in 1991.

5. I.M, Didi and Sandi Pei

Ieoh Ming Pei, a Chinese-American architect, discovered his connection to modernism after learning about Le Corbusier's works while attending schools that prioritized the Beaux-Arts style of architecture. In the years that followed, he collaborated closely with Bauhaus masters such as Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer, refining a distinctively modernist style that incorporated both conventional ideas and forward-thinking geometric shapes. While providing a frame for views of the Louvre Palace, Pei's distinctive Louvre Pyramid, which is comprised of 673 glass panes, allows light to enter the underground Louvre Museum. On the other hand, the colossal Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong is a skyscraper that is extremely tall and is made up of triangular frameworks that are covered by glass curtain walls.

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