JMAI Staff Picks: Best Modern Architect

I love discussing architectural theory with my work mates at JMAi. Architectural tastes can vary greatly from person to person, even within a single architectural office. At the Jack Mutua Architects Windhoek office, there are a lot of similarities but also a lot of differences in opinion. Today we asked some members of our technical team who is the world's best architect and why.


Gerald

"Who is the greatest architect of our time?"

"Bjark (Bjark Ingels Group) off the top of my head. He talks about hedonistic sustainability. Other people substitute the luxury when they try to be sustainable. He maintains the luxury in sustainable architecture, making it more appealing. He is the best modern architect because he keeps his architecture expressive. It shouldn't be mute. Architects who say they are sustainable usually end up having drab buildings."

Bjark Ingels of Bjark Ingels Group (B.I.G.). Photo Credit: BT.

"This other guy, Patrick Schumacher, who works for Zaha Hadid Architects. He writes about the theories behind the architecture. I respect him because he justifies what Zaha does. Zaha comes from Iraq, but the guy behind the scenes helps a lot. They broke the barrier on digital and modern and took it to a new level."

Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher. Photo Credit: Art Info Blog. 

Eddie

"Who is the best modern architect? The best architect of our time?"

"Gerald!"


Nkosimashila

"Who is the best architect of this day and age? Not just Africa, but internationally."

"Renzo Piano is very good. But Richard Meier, his architecture is something else. It's architecture. It's simple and it's white. Richard Meier is just white and then white again."

Rachofsky House by Richard Meier. Photo Credit: Architectural Digest. 

"Zaha is good, but she hasn't been around that long. Bjark is good, but Gerald already said him. There are also some young guys from some small emerging firms. But they are not celebrities."

"Wasserfall (Wasserfall Munting Architects) is a great guy, he's done the Hilton and some new buildings around here. Around here, the architecture is more modern and form driven. The rest of the local architecture is mediocre."

Hilton Windhoek, designed by Wasserfall Munting Architects. Photo Credit: E-architect. 

Chimora

"Who is the best modern architect?"

"Myself!"


Pandeni

"It is my lecturer, she is the best architect. She is called Inna Samoilenko. She is the best architect because of the buildings that she designs. They are just otherwise. It's just one of the best. Her design's style is a lot like Zaha's. She is the best in Russia and in Bulgaria.


Bruno

"I would say Nkosi also. There's Mr. Mutua, Nkosi, and my dad, Peter Maletzky. he used to work for the municipality in Okahandja. I got the inspiration from him to go into the direction of architecture."


Jack

"Who is the greatest modern architect?"

"Zaha, she is good. I like the school she did in England, the building is cantilevered. I only know Zaha compared to the rest I've seen, but some Brazilian architects are also good."

Evelyn Grace Academy by Zaha hadid Architects. Photo Credit: Mimoa.

The Winner

Zaha Hadid. Photo Credit: The Guardian.

So it seems that Zaha Hadid, by popular demand has been nominated the best modern architect at the office. Many have been impressed with her theories, while others are simply hit by the wow factor that her architecture can create. Let's see some examples of the best modern architectural work of our time.

Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photo Credit: Inhabitat.

Vienna Library and Learning Center by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photo Credit: Tuvie.