Bricks and Mortar Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

The "Farnsworth House", designed by Mies van der Rohe in the early 1950s in Plano, Illinois, is a quintessential example of modernist architecture. The glass and steel house blends with its natural surroundings, emphasizing both transparency and simplicity. Situated above ground level, the house offers unobstructed views of the landscape around it, creating an unbroken connection between spaces, outdoors and indoors. The minimalist aesthetic, characterized by an open floor plan and the absence of ornamentation, reflects van der Rohe's architectural doctrine of "less is more" and defines the building as one of its most significant examples.

Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) was a German-American architect, and one of the leaders of the Modernist movement in architecture, especially the Bauhaus movement.

Answer: Le Corbusier

The "Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Haut" was constructed on the Colline de Bourlémont in Ronchamp, France, between 1953 and 1955 by French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. It is a symbol of religious architecture visited both by pilgrims and architecture aficionados alike.

Le Corbusier adopted a sculptural and organic approach in this structure, designing sturdy, curved walls and a distinctive, undulate concrete roof that appears to float above the structure, allowing natural light to flood the interior through openings strategically inserted along the walls. The design not only provides a religious ambiance but also integrates with the landscape.
As a result of its architectural and cultural importance, the chapel was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016 as part of "The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier."

Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, 1887-1965) was a Swiss-French architect and pioneer of the Modernist movement.

Answer: Andrea Palladio

Villa Capra "La Rotonda" is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture designed by Andrea Palladio. Situated on a hilltop just outside Vicenza in northern Italy, the villa was commissioned in 1566 by Paolo Almerico, a retired Vatican prelate seeking a serene retreat. It was completed in the 1590s by the Capra brothers, since both the architect and the original owner had died.
The villa's design is renowned for its perfect symmetry and harmonious proportions. Each of the four facades features a classical portico with Ionic columns, reflecting Palladio's inspiration from ancient Roman temples, particularly the Pantheon, whose dome is allegedly recreated over the villa's central hall. The dome allows natural light to illuminate the space, enhancing the intricate interior details and the frescoes by Giovanni Battista Maganza and Anselmo Canera.

Villa La Rotonda's architectural brilliance has influenced countless structures worldwide, including Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in the United States. In recognition of its significance, the villa was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 as part of the "City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto."

Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) was an Italian Renaissance architect and author of the "Four Books of Architecture" treatise on architecture.

Answer: Frank Lloyd Wright

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, located in New York City, is an exquisite modern and contemporary art museum known for its unconventional architecture and innovative exhibitions. Celebrated American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed the building, which opened in 1959, nine months after FLW's death. The museum has a unique spiral design, which allows visitors to view artworks while ascending an endless ramp. Frank Lloyd Wright envisioned the Guggenheim as an "inverted ziggurat".

The museum holds a vast collection of works by artists such as Kandinsky, Picasso, and Mondrian, and serves as a New York cultural and architectural landmark. An elegant bronze medallion embedded in the main entrance floor is a tribute to the building's founder and architect. The medallion reads "This museum designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is the gift of Solomon R. Guggenheim," with a quote by Aristophanes, "Let each man exercise the art he knows."

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is one of the most influential architects in the world, known for his association with "organic" and "Prairie Style" architecture.

Answer: Zaha Hadid

The London Aquatics Centre, located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, was designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid and used for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The development is distinguished by a sweeping, wave-like roof that engulfs the interior spaces and showcases Hadid's signature fluid and futuristic style. The center features two 50-meter swimming pools and a diving pool, all housed within a striking and spacious interior. After the Olympics, it was transformed into a public facility, continuing to serve both elite athletes and the local community.

Winner of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, celebrated Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) developed her uniquely individual futuristic style from experimentation with Russian Suprematism and avant-garde architecture.

Answer: Mimar Sinan

Istanbul's Süleymaniye Mosque is an Ottoman architectural and heritage icon, built between 1550 and 1557 by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent who commissioned Mimar Sinan, arguably one the greatest creators of Islamic architecture. Süleymaniye Mosque is the pinnacle of Ottoman engineering and art, combining functionality with magnificence with its massive walls, harmonious dome, slender minarets, and intricate tilework. The mosque has withstood earthquakes, wars, and time, remaining a functional place of worship and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of Istanbul's historic areas).

Mimar Sinan (1489-1588) was the Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire, known predominantly for his religious architecture.

Answer: Renzo Piano

The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre, located on the Tinu Peninsula in Nouméa, New Caledonia, opened in 1998. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, it is a striking tribute to Kanak culture with its ten iconic, curved pavilions which blend traditional Kanak hut designs with modern materials like iroko wood, steel, and glass. The development sits in harmony with its lush surrounding landscape and is in direct contact with the water. Named after the assassinated Kanak independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, the center promotes Kanak and Pacific Island heritage through art exhibitions, performances, and a multimedia library, drawing over 100,000 visitors annually.

Renzo Piano (b. 1937) is an Italian architect known for designing innovative architectural projects all over the world. Among them are the "Centre Pompidou" in Paris, "The Shard" in London, and the "Acropolis Museum" in Athens.

Answer: Isidore of Miletus - Anthemius of Tralles

Hagia Sophia was built in 537 CE by architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, famous for its massive dome and superbly decorated interior. Located in Istanbul, Turkey, it is an ancient architectural wonder and a unique example of Byzantine architecture. It was converted to a mosque following Constantinople's Ottoman conquest in 1453, and then into a museum in 1935. It was converted back into a mosque in 2020, while it remains open for tourists.

Isidore of Miletus (442-537) was a famous mathematician, engineer, and architect from Asia Minor. Anthemius of Tralles (474-534) was a geometer, physicist, architect and sculptor. He was born in Asia Minor and died in Constantinople.

Answer: Ieoh Ming Pei (I. M. Pei)

In 1989, the Louvre Museum in Paris acquired a striking modern addition in the form of a glass pyramid. The Glass Pyramid was designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei. The 21.6-meter-high pyramid is made of glass and metal and is the main museum entrance. Its slender, contemporary design contrasts with the Louvre's classical architecture, symbolically blending tradition with innovation. While it created controversy upon opening, the Glass Pyramid has become a symbol of Paris and a celebrated example of how modern architecture can coexist with and complement its historical surroundings.

I. M. Pei (Ieoh Ming Pei, 1917-2019) is a modernist architect whose work is permeated by functionality in conjunction with symbolism.

Answer: Antonio Gaudi

Park Güell, located in Barcelona, Spain, is a surreal public park designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. Conceived as a residential development in the early 20th century, the park demonstrates the unique style of Gaudí, containing vibrant mosaics, organic forms comprised of curves and ellipses, and whimsical buildings that harmonize with the natural environment. Some of the attractions include the curved bench, the mosaic salamander known as "El Drac", and the colonnaded pathways. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Park Güell is a colorful and distinctive depiction of modernist Catalan architecture and a favorite landmark in Barcelona.

Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) was a Catalan architect, the most celebrated advocate of Catalan Modernisme in architecture. His most famous and iconic work is the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona.