One of architecture’s most provocative thinkers, Rem Koolhaas’s work—not only as an architect, but also as an urbanist and theorist—continually challenges convention. The founder of OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), Koolhaas is known for bold, conceptual designs like the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing and the Seattle Central Library. Embracing contradiction, Koolhaas often designs structures that reflect the chaos and energy of contemporary life. His work resists easy categorization, blending brutalism, modernism, and postmodern theory into an entirely unique experimental approach.
But his influence extends far beyond individual buildings. Through his writings, particularly Delirious New York and S,M,L,XL, he has redefined how architects think about cities, globalization, and the consequent cultural complexity. He has also been instrumental in shaping architectural discourse, encouraging designers to think critically about form, politics, and urban space. “When working for Rem at OMA, I saw firsthand how to push boundaries by asking the right questions,” says Matthias Hollwich, founding principal of HWKN Architecture. “Rem Koolhaas is one of the few architects of the last forty years who has not only designed history-shaping buildings, but has also shaped generations of young architects who are at the forefront of innovative architecture today.”
