Date of Birth: December 1, 1912
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: February 6, 1986
Biography
Minoru Yamasaki was an American architect, best known for designing the original World Trade Center in New York City. Born to Japanese immigrant parents, Yamasaki grew up in Seattle, Washington, and displayed an early talent for art and architecture. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in architecture and later pursued graduate studies at New York University. Yamasaki’s career began in earnest when he moved to Detroit and joined the firm Smith, Hinchman & Grylls. He eventually founded his own architectural practice, Yamasaki & Associates, in 1955. Yamasaki’s design philosophy was characterized by a preference for human-scale buildings and an aversion to the stark, impersonal styles that dominated much of mid-20th-century architecture. His works often featured elements of Gothic architecture, emphasizing light and shadow, and he was known for his innovative use of space and form. The World Trade Center towers, completed in 1973, were his most famous project, but he also designed other notable buildings such as the Pruitt-Igoe housing project in St. Louis and the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. Despite his success, Yamasaki’s later years were marked by controversy and financial difficulties, particularly after the demolition of Pruitt-Igoe and criticism of the World Trade Center’s design. He died in 1986, but his impact on modern architecture remains significant.
5 Interesting Facts about Minoru Yamasaki
1. Minoru Yamasaki designed the original World Trade Center towers, which were the tallest buildings in the world at the time of their completion.
2. He was one of the first architects to incorporate elements of Japanese design into modern American architecture.
3. Yamasaki’s design for the Pruitt-Igoe housing project, initially praised, later became a symbol of the failure of modernist architecture.
4. He was awarded the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal in 1977.
5. Despite being a prominent architect, Yamasaki faced significant racial discrimination throughout his career due to his Japanese heritage.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Minoru Yamasaki
1. “If you don’t know what you want, you end up with a lot you don’t.”
2. “The purpose of architecture is to create an atmosphere in which man can live, work, and enjoy.”
3. “The World Trade Center is a living symbol of man’s dedication to world peace.”
4. “I believe that all people are sensitive to beauty.”
5. “I feel this way about it. World Trade Center is a living symbol of man’s dedication to world peace.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Yamasaki’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Minoru Yamasaki had three children: Carol, Taro, and Kim Yamasaki.
Relevant Links
1. [Minoru Yamasaki Biography – ArchDaily](https://www.archdaily.com/biography/minoru-yamasaki
2. [Minoru Yamasaki – World Trade Center History](https://www.wtc-history.com/minoru-yamasaki
4. [Minoru Yamasaki – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Minoru-Yamasaki
5. [Pruitt-Igoe Myth Documentary](https://www.pruitt-igoe.com/
