Celebrating the Legacy of Minoru Yamasaki

Born in Seattle, Washington, Minoru Yamasaki [1912-1986] graduated in 1934 from the University of Washington Department of Architecture under the guidance of legendary professor Lionel Pries. Yamasaki was a pioneering architect whose designs emphasized serenity, elegance, and humanism. Despite facing significant racial prejudice in his early years, he rose to become one of the most prominent and influential architects of the 20th century, creating iconic structures like the Pacific Science Center and the original World Trade Center. Yamasaki’s work is celebrated not only for its aesthetic brilliance but also for its cultural significance and indelible mark on the Japanese American community. His inspirational journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim is a testament to his resilience and visionary talent.

While Yamasaki’s architectural vision was unique and highly personal, his style belongs to a mid-century offshoot of Modernism called “New Formalism.” Continuing into the early 1970s, New Formalism embraced fine materials like marble or travertine and paired classical design elements such as arches and colonnades with modern shapes and forms. Typically, monumental in scale and symmetrical in layout, New Formalist buildings are almost always situated on a flat plane, often configured as a raised podium floating over a reflecting pool. In addition to Yamasaki, other iconic examples include the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC (Edward Durell Stone) and New York City’s Lincoln Center (Wallace K. Harrison).

We invite you to explore the life and work of Minoru Yamasaki, whose architectural vision transformed urban landscapes throughout the United States and abroad.