ARCHITECTS / F

Yvonne Farrell, born in 1951 in Tullamore, Ireland, is a distinguished Irish architect and academic. She co-founded Grafton Architects in 1978 with Shelley McNamara, after both graduated from University College Dublin in 1974. Their firm gained international acclaim with projects like the Università Luigi Bocconi in Milan, awarded World Building of the Year in 2008, and the Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología in Lima, which won the inaugural RIBA International Prize in 2016. In 2020, Farrell and McNamara were honored with the Pritzker Architecture Prize, recognizing their significant contributions to the field.

Hassan Fathy (March 23, 1900 – November 30, 1989) was a pioneering Egyptian architect renowned for integrating traditional building techniques with sustainable design. Born in Alexandria, he graduated from King Fuad University (now Cairo University) in 1926. Fathy championed the use of adobe and mud-brick construction, emphasizing climate-responsive architecture that utilized natural ventilation and passive cooling. His notable project, New Gourna Village near Luxor, aimed to rehouse residents from the Valley of the Kings, reflecting his commitment to community-focused design. Throughout his career, Fathy received numerous accolades, including the Aga Khan Chairman's Award for Architecture in 1980. His legacy endures as a testament to the harmony between architecture, environment, and social responsibility.

Sverre Fehn (1924–2009) was a distinguished Norwegian architect celebrated for his modernist designs that harmoniously integrated with their natural surroundings. Born in Kongsberg, Norway, he completed his architectural studies at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design in 1949. Fehn gained international acclaim for projects such as the Norwegian Pavilion at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair and the Nordic Pavilion at the 1962 Venice Biennale. His design of the Hedmark Museum in Hamar, Norway, exemplifies his ability to blend contemporary architecture with historical contexts. In recognition of his contributions to architecture, Fehn was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1997.

Anna Castelli Ferrieri (1918–2006) was an influential Italian architect and industrial designer, renowned for her pioneering use of plastics in furniture design. Graduating from the Milan Polytechnic Institute in 1943, she co-founded Kartell in 1949 with her husband, Giulio Castelli. As Kartell's design director, she created iconic pieces like the modular Componibili storage units, exemplifying her commitment to functional, minimalist aesthetics. Her work significantly impacted post-war Italian modern design, blending technological innovation with everyday practicality. Throughout her career, Castelli Ferrieri received numerous accolades, including multiple Compasso d'Oro awards, and remained active in design education and advocacy.

Norman Foster (born June 1, 1935, in Manchester, England) is a celebrated British architect known for merging modern aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. After earning his architecture degree from the University of Manchester in 1961, he obtained a master's from Yale in 1962. In 1967, he founded Foster + Partners, a globally influential firm. His iconic projects include the HSBC headquarters in Hong Kong, the Reichstag’s glass dome in Berlin, and London’s "Gherkin." Renowned for innovation and sustainability, Foster has received numerous accolades, including the 1999 Pritzker Prize, cementing his legacy as a leading figure in contemporary architecture.

Tony Fretton (born January 17, 1945, in London) is a renowned British architect known for his context-sensitive and minimalist designs. A graduate of the Architectural Association, he worked with firms like Arup Associates before founding Tony Fretton Architects in 1982. His notable projects include London’s Lisson Gallery (1990), the Red House in Chelsea (2001), and the British Embassy in Warsaw (2009). Fretton’s work elegantly balances modernity with responsiveness to surroundings. Beyond practice, he has shaped architectural education, serving as Chair of Architecture and Interiors at TU Delft (1999–2013) and currently teaching at London Metropolitan University.

Yona Friedman (1923–2020) was a visionary Hungarian-born French architect and urban planner known for his radical ideas on adaptable, user-centered architecture. After surviving World War II, he moved to Paris in 1957, where he published the "Manifeste de l'architecture mobile," introducing the concept of "mobile architecture." His most famous proposal, "Ville Spatiale" (Spatial City), envisioned elevated frameworks allowing residents to shape their own living spaces. Friedman championed sustainability and participatory design, creating innovative solutions for affordable housing and urban living. His work has been globally recognized and exhibited, influencing contemporary discussions on architecture, social responsibility, and environmental adaptability.

Edwin Maxwell Fry (1899–1987) was a leading English modernist architect, writer, and painter. After graduating from the University of Liverpool in 1923, he transitioned from neo-classical styles to modernism, co-founding the MARS Group in 1933. His notable works include the modernist housing estate Kensal House in London (1937). Partnering with his wife, Jane Drew, Fry played a crucial role in tropical architecture, designing educational buildings in West Africa and collaborating on Chandigarh, India’s new capital city. His work emphasized functional design, aesthetic simplicity, and responsiveness to climate and culture, making him a key figure in 20th-century architecture.

Sou Fujimoto is a renowned Japanese architect known for his innovative designs that blend nature and architecture. Born in 1971 in Hokkaido, Japan, he studied architecture at the University of Tokyo. Fujimoto’s designs emphasize lightness, transparency, and organic forms, often resembling intricate structures found in nature. His notable works include the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion (2013), the House NA, and the L'Arbre Blanc in France. Fujimoto challenges traditional spatial concepts, creating fluid, interconnected environments. His work has received global recognition, influencing contemporary architecture with his visionary approach to blending built and natural environments seamlessly.

Massimiliano Fuksas (born 1944) and Doriana Mandrelli Fuksas (born 1955) are prominent Italian architects leading Studio Fuksas, an international firm with offices in Rome, Paris, and Shenzhen. Massimiliano graduated in architecture from La Sapienza University in Rome in 1969 and founded his practice in 1967. Doriana earned degrees in History of Modern and Contemporary Architecture from La Sapienza University and in Architecture from the École Spéciale d'Architecture in Paris. Since 1985, they have collaborated on numerous projects, including the New Milan Trade Fair in Rho-Pero, the Zenith Music Hall in Strasbourg, and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. Their work is characterized by innovative design and a commitment to sustainability.

Richard Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) was an American architect, systems theorist, inventor, and futurist renowned for his innovative designs and concepts. Born in Milton, Massachusetts, he studied at Harvard University but was expelled twice. Fuller is best known for popularizing the geodesic dome, a lightweight and efficient structure composed of interlocking triangles. He also introduced terms like "Spaceship Earth" and "Dymaxion," reflecting his vision of sustainable living and efficient resource use. Throughout his career, Fuller held 28 patents and authored 28 books, emphasizing doing "more with less" to improve human living conditions. His work continues to influence architects, designers, and environmentalists.