The Milwaukee Art Museum is a world-renowned museum located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The museum is home to over 25,000 works of art and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. The building itself is a work of art, having been designed by architect Santiago Calatrava.
Calatrava was born in Valencia, Spain in 1951 and studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. His interest in engineering and art led him to pursue a career as an architect, and he quickly established himself as one of the most influential contemporary architects in Europe. He has designed buildings all over the world, including the World Trade Center transportation hub in New York City and the Turning Torso skyscraper in Malmo, Sweden.
In 2001, Calatrava was chosen to design the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion. This project would be his first major work outside Europe and was unique among his projects due to its combination of modernity with traditional forms.
The pavilion’s centerpiece is its iconic “wings,” which open and close like a bird’s wings every day at noon. These wings are made up of glass panels that allow light to enter the museum while also protecting it from harsh weather conditions. Additionally, Calatrava also designed a pedestrian bridge connecting the museum to downtown Milwaukee that features suspension cables shaped like whale tails.
Calatrava’s work on the Quadracci Pavilion turned heads not only for its modern design but also for its functionality. It has received numerous awards since its completion including an American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Architecture from 2003-2004 and a 2004 AIA/HUD Secretary’s Opportunity & Empowerment Award for Accessible Design Excellence.
Santiago Calatrava is undoubtedly one of the most renowned contemporary architects in the world today, and his work on the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion has cemented him as an architect who can blend modernity with tradition while also creating spaces that are both beautiful and functional. His masterful design has made him one of Milwaukee’s favorite sons – rightfully earning him recognition as “The Architect of The Milwaukee Art Museum”.
Conclusion: Santiago Calatrava is recognized as “The Architect of The Milwaukee Art Museum” due to his masterful design on their iconic Quadracci Pavilion; blending modernity with tradition while creating beautiful yet functional spaces have made him one of Milwaukee’s favorite sons across the globe!