Architect
The Resume
(April 3, 1929-March 27, 1982)
Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Known as the 'father of tubular designs for high-rises'
Worked for Skidmore, Owings & Merill as a structural engineer (1955-1957, 1959-1982)
Also worked as adjunct professor at Illinois Institute of Technology
Designed DeWitt-Chestnut Apartments (1963), Plaza on DeWitt (1966), John Hancock Center (1969), One Shell Square (1972), Willis Tower (1973), King Abdulaziz University (1978), the Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport (1980), One Magnificent Mile (1983), and Oneterie Center (1986)
Gained U.S. citizenship (1967)
Received Wason Medel (1971), Thomas Middlebrooks Award (1972), Alfred Lindau Award (1973), Kimbrough Medal (1973), Oscar Faber Medal (1973) Ernest Howard Award (1977), International Award of Merit in Structural Engineering (1983), AIA Institute Honor for Distinguished Achievement (1983), John Parmer Award (1987), and Illinois Engineering Hall of Fame (2006)
Chairman of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (1979-1982)
Died of a heart attack while on a trip in Jeddah
Buried in Graceland Cemetery
Why he might be annoying
He chose the technological advancements of a developed country over contributing to his developing native country.
The John Hancock Center was at first unfavorably comapred to the 'Statue of Death' in Chicago's Graceland Cemetery.
You can thank him for the bizzare shapes some skyscrapers have.
Why he might not be annoying
His development of tubular designs reduced the amount of steel needed to construct skyscrapers and allowed them to take any shape, contributing to the rebirth of skyscraper construction in the process.
He pioneered the use of computers and other forms of advanced technology in architecture and engineering.
During the Bangladesh Liberation War, he organized relief efforts to help the Bengalis through the Bangladesh Emergency Welfare Appeal. (1971)
Despite his support for Bangladesh during its Liberation War, he holds no resentment towards Pakistanis.
Besides architecture, he was also interested in art, drama, music, ping pong, and poetry.
Credit: Big Lenny
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Year In Review:
For 2021, as of last week, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 24 Votes: 29.17% Annoying
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