Image Source: Joevare
Here at Form Function Art, we enjoy architectural, industrial, and automotive art and we know a truly great artist when we see one. With over 300 awards and 13 Honorary Degrees, along with a widely published written work, Cesar Pelli is one such artist. This world-renowned architect passed away last week at 92 after a lifetime of changing the horizon, both literally and figuratively.
“I see my buildings as pieces of cities, and in my designs, I try to make them into responsible and contributing citizens.” – Cesar Pelli
From the Plains of Argentina to the Plains of the US
As a young man in Argentina, Cesar Pelli’s parents encouraged his love for reading, math, art, and construction. When the time came to choose a career path, Pelli discovered that architecture incorporated his passion for both art and history. Pelli studied at the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán for a few years, then received a nine-month fellowship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During this time, his wife became pregnant with their first child. Pelli then secured a spot working with one of the most prominent architects of his era. Needless to say, the United States became his home.
Saarinen’s Apprentice
Eero Saarinen is well-known for “pushing material and aesthetic boundaries”, working in both furniture and architecture. It was at Saarinen’s firm that Pelli embraced Saarinen’s emphasis on lean, unified exteriors. This deeply impacted Mr. Pelli’s view of what he described as the “skin” of his designs, for which he would later become famous.
During this time, Pelli was challenged to create something beautiful out of the necessary structural elements of the TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy National Airport (can we add a link to this?). The resulting gull-winged building with its flowing lines has been delighting and inspiring travelers since its completion in 1962.
After a decade at Saarinen’s firm, Pelli decided to capitalize on the “explosive growth and experimentation for builders in Southern California.” He then took a job at the architectural firm DMJM.
Trailblazing with Glass
At DMJM Pelli experienced creative freedom, although within the boundaries of time and budget. It was here that Pelli executed his experiments with different glass facades. Some of his most famous projects during this time were the Pacific Design Center, San Bernardino City Hall, and the Federal Aviation Administration Building. Each of these buildings are admired and recognized because of their mirrored glass that reflects the cityscapes around them.
Beginning in 1976, Pelli experienced a busy and exciting season. He became Dean of Yale’s school of architecture, won a commission to expand and renovate the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, and began his own architectural firm. While his redesign of the MoMA Building was not a universal success, it launched his firm into the commercial architecture space.
“In my opinion, a tall building has to have a crown, it has to end on something that suggests that the building is in dialogue with the sky.”
Buildings in Dialogue with the Sky
One of his firm’s most notable projects is the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These dual towers, at 1,483 feet, held the title of World’s Tallest Building from 1998-2004. While he was proud of this feat, his greatest accomplishment for this project was incorporating geometric patterns and aesthetics central to Malaysia and Islamic culture. The Petronas Towers are linked by a sky bridge about 500 feet in the air. Although practical in function, the sky bridge also serves a cultural purpose. Not only does the bridge provide an extra means of egress, it also forms what seems to be a gate. In Asian cultures, this symbolizes a portal to a higher world.
In 1995, the American Institute of Architects awarded Pelli the Gold Medal for the Petronas Towers. His dedication to preserving culture and inspiring people are central to his success.
A Legacy Lives On
Upon inheriting his father’s love of architecture, Rafael Pelli began working at his father’s firm Pelli Clarke Pelli. He now leads the company forward in designing buildings that capture cultures, emotions, and the skyline. If you would like to see more of Pelli’s work, this article highlights some of his most recognizable buildings.
Add Architectural and Industrial Pieces to Your Collection
If you are looking for the perfect piece to begin, or add to, your own art collection, visit our GALLERY. We have beautiful, original mid-century modern industrial and architectural pieces by Raymond Loewy, Vincent Raney, and others.
