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World Architecture Day: The 15 Most Instagrammed Architects
Architectural buildings and monuments are one of the main attractions for cities in drawing visitors. Therefore, to commemorate World Architecture Day, celebrated on the first Monday of October since 1985, Musement has compiled a list of the most Instagrammed contemporary architects in the world. Their works not only accumulate mentions on social media but have also become true pilgrimage sites for architecture tourism enthusiasts.
The ranking highlights that there is taste in variety, as numerous architectural styles, from brutalism to modernism and deconstructivism, are included. Here is the list of the most popular architects based on the number of times they have been tagged on the well-known social network.
- Le Corbusier, over 523,000 mentions
The famous architect and theorist is one of the leading figures of modern architecture. His significance is such that, since 2016, 17 of his creations have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These constructions showcase the renewal of architectural techniques in the 20th century, prioritizing simplicity and functionality to meet societal needs. Therefore, it's no surprise that some of his projects, like the Unité d'Habitation in Marseille and the Notre Dame du Haut chapel in Ronchamp, are immensely popular on social media.
- Zaha Hadid, over 497,000 mentions
The Anglo-Iraqi deconstructivist architect received numerous awards during her career, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize. Her architectural works, where curves are the undeniable protagonists, are now part of the skyline of many cities around the world. The Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, the Hungerburg funicular stations, or the National Museum of 21st Century Arts (MAXXI) in Rome, are excellent examples of Zaha Hadid's talent. In Spain, one of her most notable projects is the Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion, built for Expo 2008.
- Frank Lloyd Wright, over 363,000 mentions
Throughout his prolific career, Frank Lloyd Wright's projects sought harmony between human habitat and the natural world. Eight of his most important works, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, were designated as World Heritage Sites in 2019. UNESCO highlights that Wright's >, characterized by the original use of materials like concrete and steel and the blending of boundaries between the interior and exterior of buildings, greatly influenced modern architecture.
- Frank Gehry, over 289,000 mentions
The works of the Canadian architect have become genuine tourist attractions, and a prime example is the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The deconstructivist architectural jewel is considered one of the most important buildings of the 20th century. Gehry's creations are works of art that, once completed, transform into true sculptures, such as the Dancing House in Prague or the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
- Oscar Niemeyer, over 274,000 mentions
The architect, enamored with the >, was one of the creators of the city of Brasília, alongside urban planner Lucio Costa. It is precisely there, in the capital of Brazil, that some of his most iconic buildings can be admired, such as the Brasília Cathedral and the Itamaraty Palace.
- Antoni Gaudí, over 267,000 mentions
The foremost representative of Catalan modernism developed a highly personal style, especially during his naturalist phase. In this period, inspiration from organic forms in nature, creative freedom, decorative exuberance, and curved lines were present in most of his projects. Today, seven of Gaudí's buildings are part of the World Heritage List (Park Güell, Güell Palace, La Pedrera, Casa Vicens, Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Colonia Güell), and they are among Spain's most visited attractions.
- Mies van der Rohe, over 221,000 mentions
Faithful to his motto of >, the works of the German-born architect are characterized by the simplicity of structural elements, the creation of open spaces, and the absence of unnecessary ornamentation. Among his most Instagrammed creations are the New National Gallery in Berlin and the Seagram Building in New York.
- Tadao Ando, over 208,000 mentions
A former boxer and self-taught architect, Tadao Ando ranks eighth on our list with over 208,000 mentions. His creations combine elements and materials from modern architecture and traditional Japanese architecture. His buildings predominantly feature simple geometric shapes, and elements of nature such as light and water play a fundamental role, helping to create spaces that foster serenity and meditation. The Church of the Light in Osaka, the recent renovation of the Paris Bourse, or the Wabi House in Puerto Escondido are some of the most shared works on social media.
- Renzo Piano, over 200,000 mentions
Renzo is considered one of the most influential and prolific architects of the 20th and 21st centuries. One of his most famous creations is the Pompidou Center, designed in collaboration with Richard Rogers. The museum building was very innovative in the 70s, and its framework of blue, red, yellow, and green pipes left no one indifferent. In Spain, the Botín Center designed by the Italian architect also excels on Instagram.
- Alvar Aalto, over 178,000 mentions
The renowned Finnish architect is known worldwide not only for his architectural works, such as Villa Mairea or the Paimio Sanatorium, but also for his furniture designs, which remain trendy today. His architectural works reflect his desire to > architecture, creating functional yet ergonomic spaces.
Completing the top 15...
The creators of such marvelous projects as the City of Arts and Sciences (Santiago Calatrava), the renovation of the Reichstag building (Norman Foster), the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum (Jean Nouvel), the Breuer Building (Marcel Breuer), and the Casa da Música in Porto (Rem Koolhaas).