A small number of famous architects tend to get all the attention, so here are 12 brilliant architects you probably haven't heard of, from Medieval Azerbaijan to 19th century Finland:
1. Alexander Pomerantsev
He is responsible for a number of revivalist-style buildings across Russia and Bulgaria, but his masterpiece is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia.
Designed in 1898 but not built for 30 years, this might be the zenith of Neo-Byzantine architecture.
He is responsible for a number of revivalist-style buildings across Russia and Bulgaria, but his masterpiece is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia.
Designed in 1898 but not built for 30 years, this might be the zenith of Neo-Byzantine architecture.
2. Orcagna
Once more famous than he is now, Orcagna was among the greatest of Medieval Italian architects.
His mid-14th century work on the facade of Orvieto Cathedral perfectly captures how different Gothic architecture was in Italy compared to the rest of Europe.
Once more famous than he is now, Orcagna was among the greatest of Medieval Italian architects.
His mid-14th century work on the facade of Orvieto Cathedral perfectly captures how different Gothic architecture was in Italy compared to the rest of Europe.
3. Rafael da Silva
The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, a Brazilian group dedicated to Portuguese literature, asked Rafael da Silva to design their headquarters in 1880.
So he turned to the unique Portuguese style of Manueline Gothic and created a library unlike any other.
The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, a Brazilian group dedicated to Portuguese literature, asked Rafael da Silva to design their headquarters in 1880.
So he turned to the unique Portuguese style of Manueline Gothic and created a library unlike any other.
4. Bahāddīn ʿĀmilī
Isfahan was the jewel in the crown of Safavid Iran, and under Shah Abbas it blossomed into one of the world's greatest cities.
Partly thanks to the polymath-architect Bahāddīn ʿĀmilī, who designed the city's huge public square and the mosques around it.
Isfahan was the jewel in the crown of Safavid Iran, and under Shah Abbas it blossomed into one of the world's greatest cities.
Partly thanks to the polymath-architect Bahāddīn ʿĀmilī, who designed the city's huge public square and the mosques around it.
5. Gustave Strauven
Of the many Art Nouveau architects few were so distinctive as Gustave Strauven; he had a talent for designing tall and thin houses, epitomised by the Maison Saint-Cyr in Brussels, from 1903.
Had he not died in WWI, who knows what else he might have achieved.
Of the many Art Nouveau architects few were so distinctive as Gustave Strauven; he had a talent for designing tall and thin houses, epitomised by the Maison Saint-Cyr in Brussels, from 1903.
Had he not died in WWI, who knows what else he might have achieved.
6. Isidore of Miletus & Anthemius of Tralles
Their names aren't as famous as their joint masterpiece: the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, built in the 530s AD.
These mathematical geniuses were way ahead of their time; Hagia Sophia was the world's largest cathedral for 1,000 years.
Their names aren't as famous as their joint masterpiece: the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, built in the 530s AD.
These mathematical geniuses were way ahead of their time; Hagia Sophia was the world's largest cathedral for 1,000 years.
7. Ricardo Bofill
A rebellious modern architect who fought back against what he saw as the bland and oppressive tendencies of modernist architecture.
With Les Espaces d'Abraxas, built in the 1970s, he wanted to bring beautiful architecture to the lives of ordinary people.
A rebellious modern architect who fought back against what he saw as the bland and oppressive tendencies of modernist architecture.
With Les Espaces d'Abraxas, built in the 1970s, he wanted to bring beautiful architecture to the lives of ordinary people.
8. Ahmad Nakhchivani
In the grand and storied tradition of mausolea in Islamic architecture, perhaps the most distinctive style emerged in Medieval Azerbaijan.
Ahmad Nakhchivani's technicolour Garabaghlar Mausoleum, built in the 14th century, is its defining achievement.
In the grand and storied tradition of mausolea in Islamic architecture, perhaps the most distinctive style emerged in Medieval Azerbaijan.
Ahmad Nakhchivani's technicolour Garabaghlar Mausoleum, built in the 14th century, is its defining achievement.
9. Salvador Valeri i Pupurull
Gaudí is the most famous architect of Catalan Modernism — a unique subgenre of Art Nouveau — but he was not the only one.
Another was Salvador Valeri, whose Casa Comalat, a private house built from 1906-1911, is bafflingly and delightfully unique.
Gaudí is the most famous architect of Catalan Modernism — a unique subgenre of Art Nouveau — but he was not the only one.
Another was Salvador Valeri, whose Casa Comalat, a private house built from 1906-1911, is bafflingly and delightfully unique.
10. Odo of Metz
One of history's most important architects. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire architecture in northern Europe essentially faded away.
Until Odo designed the Palatine Chapel, now part of Aachen Cathedral in Germany, for Charlemagne in the 9th century.
One of history's most important architects. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire architecture in northern Europe essentially faded away.
Until Odo designed the Palatine Chapel, now part of Aachen Cathedral in Germany, for Charlemagne in the 9th century.
11. Signe Hornborg
The first ever "official" female architect in history, Hornborg received special permission to graduate from Helsinki Polytechnic in 1890.
She was not allowed to design entire buildings, but Hornborg did design the exterior of Newander House in Pori.
The first ever "official" female architect in history, Hornborg received special permission to graduate from Helsinki Polytechnic in 1890.
She was not allowed to design entire buildings, but Hornborg did design the exterior of Newander House in Pori.
12. Auguste Perret
The tutor of Le Corbusier. Perret's style may divide opinion, but he was one of the first to embrace the possibilities of concrete in architecture, and his influence was therefore immense.
Perret's rather striking Notre-Dame du Raincy was built in the 1920s.
The tutor of Le Corbusier. Perret's style may divide opinion, but he was one of the first to embrace the possibilities of concrete in architecture, and his influence was therefore immense.
Perret's rather striking Notre-Dame du Raincy was built in the 1920s.
It's important to remember that while architects get all the credit, architecture is impossible without the thousands of unnamed labourers, artisans, and engineers who actually built these places.
Though, with that being said, who are some other underrated architects?
Though, with that being said, who are some other underrated architects?
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