The highest accolade for architecture, the Pritzker Prize, was awarded to Richard Meier in 1984, the youngest recipient in history.

Meier started working from home in 1963 with first commission from his parents – a residence in New Jersey. Smith House was commissioned in 1965, which thrust him into the spotlight. His innovative use of natural light, the bold spatial quality of the building and his modernist sensibilities including the colour white, were all established in the pivotal project and serve as the values of his company today.

His designs were influenced by Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Aalto and Mies van der Rohe, and have evolved to create a new language instantly recognisable as “Meier”.

Meier’s architecture successfully unties the modernist concepts of exposed structural elements, striking geometric shapes and “building as object” with the traditional ideas of hierarchical spaces, interplay of the surrounding landscape and ordered planning.

He looked to more public projects in the late 60’s, creating many recognisable landmarks, such as the Getty Centre in LA and the High Museum in Atlanta. Today Richard Meier & Partners works across the globe designing museums, office buildings and urban designs, as well as private residences.

http://www.richardmeier.com/