Philip Johnson
USA | 1906 – 2005
Philip Johnson was a pivotal figure in 20th-century architecture with a career spanning six decades. He first studyied philosophy at Harvard before moving on to architecture. Johnson was not only a prolific architect but also a critic, historian, and muse to many.
Johnson’s early work was marked by his advocacy for the International Style. This movement was characterized by minimalism and a rejection of ornamental design. He co-curated the landmark “International Style” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1932. This event introduced the style to America and profoundly influenced the direction of American architecture.
After World War II, Johnson’s style evolved dramatically. He distanced himself from the strict functionalism of the International Style and began experimenting with new forms and materials. His most famous work from this period is the Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, completed in 1949. This iconic structure, with its minimal structure, flat roof, and walls of glass, is a masterpiece of modernist design. This work reflects Johnson’s emphasis on the interplay between the building and its surroundings.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Johnson continued to evolve, dabbling in postmodernism and drawing inspiration from a variety of historical styles. His postmodern works were characterized by their playful and ironic use of classical elements. This projects include 550 Madison Avenue in New York City formerly known as the AT&T Building and then Sony Tower),
Johnson was not without controversy in both his personal life and professional life. His early flirtation with fascism and his later eclectic design approach often polarized critics and colleagues. However, he remained a central figure in the world of architecture until his death in 2005.
Portfolio Highlights
Glass House, New Canaan, Connecticut, USA (1949)
Rockefeller Guest House, New York, NY, USA (1950)
Sculpture Garden, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, USA (1953)
Seagram Building, New York, NY, USA (1958)
Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, TX, USA (1961)
David H. Koch Theater, New York, NY, USA (1964)
John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza, Dallas, TX, USA (1970)
Rothko Chapel, Houston, TX, USA (1971)
IDS Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA (1972)
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, New York University, New York, NY, USA (1973)
Ft Worth Water Gardens, Ft Worth, TX, USA (1974)
Thanksgiving Square, Dallas, TX, USA (1976)
Pennzoil Place I & II, Houston, TX, USA (1976)
Hines College of Architecture, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA (1985)
Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, CA, USA (1980)
1-3 Post Oak Central, Houston, TX, USA (1975-1982)
Bank of America Center, Houston, TX, USA (1983)
550 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, USA (1984)
PPG Place, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (1984)
Gerald D. Hines WaterWall, Houston, TX, USA (1985)
Lipstick Building, New York, NY, USA (1986)
190 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL, USA (1987)
One Atlantic Center, Atlanta, GA, USA (1987)
Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, USA (1989)
Ally Detroit Center, Detroit, MI, USA (1993)
Chapel of St. Basil, St. Thomas University, Houston, TX, USA (1997)
Urban Glass House, New York, NY, USA (2006)
