Maya Lin (born 1959) is an American architect, artist, and environmental designer best known for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which she designed at just 21. Her work blends minimalism, nature, and history, creating powerful spaces like the Civil Rights Memorial and the Wavefield series. Lin often works at the intersection of land art and architecture, addressing themes of memory, climate change, and ecological awareness. Her innovative approach has earned her numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016). She continues to push architectural boundaries through her fusion of art, landscape, and design.