Must Watch Documentaries about Great Architects and Their Architecture – Architecture is just not about designing and constructing the building to complete it. It is more than that. It’s a testament towards innovation, creativity, and syncing with environments. History has witnessed the amazing works of some great architects that are now a legacy. Their work does not comprise only functional structures but serves as an expression of human creativity and artistry. Fascinated about architecture and the stories behind it? Then we have brought you some of the best architecture documentaries about the greatest of architectures and the architects who made that happen. Let’s dive in.
Best Architecture Documentaries For Architects & Designers To Watch
- A Day with Zaha Hadid – This 2004 American film talks about the famous architect Zaha Hadid. It was filmed during her exhibition named Zaha Hadid has Arrived organised in Vienna’s MAK. Here Zaha Hadid talks about her various works while touring the exhibition. She has used very simple and plain English to share her experiences of working on different projects. So, if you are someone who has an interest in architecture but isn’t versed well in architectural jargon, this movie is a must-watch for you.
- Rem Koolhaas: A Kind of Architect – This 2009 German documentary film talks about the journey of the famous architect Rem Koolhaas. The film was made by Tomas Koolhaas, Rem’s son and takes us through the chronicles starting from his graduation project “Exodus” to some of his finest works such as OMA, AMO, Delirious New York and much more. It is actually a sneak peek into the life of Rem, offering some amazing behind the scenes of his various projects in different cities and different clients. He believed that most of the architects work on the exteriors and functionality. Rem strongly favoured thought-provoking architectural concepts such as the ones related to the shape of the building.
- Sketches of Frank Gehry – This movie by award-winning director Sydney Pollack discusses about the life and career of the famous architect Frank Gehry. The documentary is filmed in the form of a conversation between Frank and Sydney Pollack. Here, this famous architect shares his early childhood experiences like playing with his grandmother, making sketch of his father, getting fascinated with computer-aided design, meeting a psychoanalyst and much more. It covers the visit to four of the prime buildings – Disney Concert Hall, LA; Vitra Museum, Germany; Guggenheim, Bilbao and Maggie’s Centre.
- Microtopia – This 2013 Swedish movie focuses on various architects, artists and visionaries who are on a mission to create their own innovative dwellings. The focus is towards creating smaller, eco-friendly and sustainable places that are good for the environment as well as the community. They also focus on creating microspaces rather than creating larger ones. It has two benefits, first such multifunctional micorspaces save space and second, they bring people together.
- Mies on Scene – Mies on Scene is a Spanish documentary made on the life of the famous architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and his works in Barcelona. Ludwig has greatly influenced modern architecture and has offered great contributions to the architectural industry. The movie majorly focuses on The Barcelona Pavilion, one of the masterpieces in the history of modern architecture. It was conceived by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1929 along with Lilly Reich.
- Big Time – Everyone knows about the famous and most influential architect Bjarke Ingels (founder of BIG Group) and his love towards 3D architectural visualization. This movie “Big Time” is all about his career and journey from the beginning to numerous 21st century buildings including the new World Trade Centre in NYC. He shares the demands of his architectural career, the challenges he faced and talks about his personal life.
- My Architect: A Son’s Journey – My Architect is an American documentary made by Nathaniel Kahn in his quest to explore more about his father – the famous architect Louis Kahn. Louis Kahn designed many amazing and famous buildings in Texas, California and Dhaka (Bangladesh). Louis died when Nathaniel was just 11 years old. Nathaniel tries to understand his father by understanding his work, and talking with his peers and other famous architects such as Frank Gehry.
- Samurai Architect: Tadao Ando – This movie showcases the journey of the famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando and follows him for over a year. This self-learnt 73-year-old architect is the winner of the most prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. The documentary starts with an energy-filled conversation with this architect. He reveals his secrets of training his mind and strengthening his willpower. He’s a master of creating small worlds. He faced immense opposition, but despite such struggles and challenges, he managed to win. Later in his life, he moved to Shanghai to build a theatre that was the perfect epitome of economic feasibility.
- The Architect of Light – This movie is about the famous architect of The Botín Center, Renzo Piano. It was directed by the famous director Carlos Saura. Here both of them delve into a conversation and talk about the relationship between cinema and architecture. The movie beautifully showcases the dream project of Piano, The Biotin Center and how the magic of this beautiful building will impact the soul of the city.
- Pei and His Old Town – This Chinese documentary revolves around the life and career of the renowned architect Ieoh Ming Pei. After completing his schooling, he went to the United States to pursue his passion in architecture at Pennsylvania State University. The documentary revolves around the design of the famous Suzhou Museum, the challenges, stories, behind-the-scenes and other events. This classic documentary beautifully portrays his design acumen, client dealings and his dedication towards architecture.
Bottom Line
All the above-mentioned architecture documentaries are inspiring as they take you through the journey of the architects while creating their masterpieces. Whether you’re an architecture student, a beginner, an enthusiast, or an expert in the architectural field, all these architecture documentaries movies are a must-watch.
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