César Pelli

(1926-2019)

Development of
Contemporary Architecture

Kishna Prakash 20AR10017

Mobassir Shams 20AR10020
 Bio-sketch

Argentine-born American architect - widely regarded as

one of the 20th century’s pre-eminent architects.

Pursued his Bachelor’s degree in architecture at the National

University of Tucumán, Master's from Illinois University,
Architecture.

Apprentice to Eero Saarinen - Dean at Yale University -

Start of own architectural firm- Cesar Pelli & Associates.

American Institute of Architects (AIA) - Gold Medal Award

in 2004.

Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Over 110 exemplary buildings designed around the globe by

Pelli during a career that spanned 60 years.

César Pelli (October 12, 1926-July 19,2019)

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Pelli#Works
 Design Stages

1. Early Stages | 2. Age of Experimentation 3. Master in Skyscraper |

Perceiving ideation | Evolution of skyscraper Cultural/Civic Projects
(1977-1989) (1990-2005) (2006-2019)

Morse and Ezra Stiles College

Source:
https://journals.open.tudelft.nl/dash/article/view/4903

Design - Modern architecture

with material, formal and
contextual variety and no
personal signature style.

Pacific Design Center, Blue Building Torre de Cristal

Source: Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_de_Cristal

https://architectuul.com/architecture/pacific-
 Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

“The power of the void is increased and made more

explicit by the pedestrian bridge that ... with its
supporting structure creates a portal to the sky ... a door
to the infinite." ~ Cesar Pelli (1995)

Petronas Towers - Petronas Twin Towers - KLCC

Twin Towers - 88 storey - 451.9 m -World's tallest
twin skyscraper

Source: https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/petronas-twin-towers-bridge:
 Design Development and Concept

“ I wanted to have a figurative space between the towers and to connect them with a bridge, which is very important
as a composition and as image. Symbolically, the building means the gate to the sky and the people of Malaysia see it as
their symbol.”

Source: http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/sijpkes/arch-struct-2008/2013-structures/Petronas-towers.pdf
 Design - Plan

functional spaces :
Offices , Retails , Hotels
Context :
Malaysian muslim expressionism

Interiors - resembles Malaysia’s local handicrafts and weaving patterns.

Steel and glass facade - resemble motifs found in Islamic art.

Rub el Hizb Structural balancing with columns of steel-reinforced concrete.

Source: archute.com/petronas-towers-cesar-pelli/
 Design Styles

The tubular innovative structural realization - with

structural columns far apart to blend the visual
openness and aesthetics.

Source: https://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/1319-tall-buildings-sustainable-design-opportunities.pdf
 Design - Bridge & Pinnacle

Built pin jointed - bridge - facilitates

interphase movement and gives
structural support - safety device

Source:https://www.petronastwintowers.com
. my/design-and-structures/

The minaret impressionism - dome with

an integrated pinnacle

Source:https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petr
o nas_Towers Source:https://www.gettyimages.no/photos/p
e tronas-twin-towers-pinnacle
 Design Styles
Exterior connecting the motif with materiality - interiors
very contextual.
pandan weavings and bertam palm wall mattings.

Each space gets Malaysian handcraft and weaving

detailings.

Source: https://www.petronastwintowers.com.my/design-
and- structures/

Closer views of the buildings - deep horizontal shading

devices over the windows

Source: https://divisare.com/projects/290616-pelli-clarke-pelli-
architects- petronas-tower
 National Museum of Art, Osaka

“The forms are an expression of bamboos growing from the ground, reaching
for the clouds and swaying in the wind. They represent a very dynamic and
exciting view of contemporary art, continually renewing itself.”
~ Cesar Pelli

A sculptural landmark in the city, the silvery reed-like

spires appear to burst through the glass roof and soar
skyward.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Art,_Osaka
 Design Styles

The museum’s subterranean design evokes a three-hull submarine, allowing the building to use its
substantial weight to sink into the soil and resist the water’s buoyancy.
Source :http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/2013/02/cesar-pelli-national-museum-of-art-osaka.html
 Design- Sectional View

Explosive, amorphous facade,

completely free of geometric
constraints .

Source: https://pcparch.com/work/national-museum-of-art-osaka
 Design Symbolism

The facade, however, stands as a light structure - made of stainless steel tubes coated in titanium - that
emerges from the ground level.

Symbolism in interpretation - Abstract bird flight - Bamboo Groove as inspiration

Source: http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/2013/02/cesar-pelli-national-museum-of-art-osaka.html
 Design - Lighting

Daylight pours in through the glass rooftop, bringing an everchanging play of light and shadow.

Sources: http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/2013/02/cesar-pelli-national-museum-of-art-
osaka.html https://pcparch.com/work/national-museum-of-art-osaka
 Design Expressions

Next to the museum, there is a bamboo garden. Both the garden and the structure are an allegory of
a bamboo forest that used to grow naturally on Nakanoshima Island before its urban development.

Source: http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/2013/02/cesar-pelli-national-museum-of-art-osaka.html
 Design Expressions

With an exterior design inspired by the life force of bamboo and the development of contemporary
art, this new facility serves well as a space for interaction between the public and art.

Much functional and rationalistic lighting spatial and utilitarian interior | Serving the purpose well.

Source: http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/2013/02/cesar-pelli-national-museum-of-art-osaka.html
 Other Prominent Works

World Financial Center The Museum of Modern Art Sales Force Tower
Source: Source:
Source: https://www.archdaily.com/430903/ad-classics-
https://ny.curbed.com/2019/7/22/20703980/cesar- pelli- https://unsplash.com/s/photos/salesforce- tower
the- museum-of-modern-art
architect-world-financial-center

Bank of America Key Tower One Square Cananda

Source: https://www.adamson-
Source: https://www.archdaily.com/959026/architecture-in- Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/key-
associates.com/project/one-canada-square-canary-
the- united-states-designed-by-latin-american-architects tower- cleveland-ohio--557390891372091517/
wharf/
 Ending Note

“I realize that having a style would be very beneficial for

my practice from a marketing standpoint, but I can't do it.
I believe my responsibilities as an architect are to design
the most appropriate building for the place. Each place has
a distinct culture and function, which for me requires an
appropriate answer.”

~ Cesar Pelli

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/20/arts/cesar-pelli-dead.html
 Bibliography

1. Cesar Pelli in Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Pelli

2. Bernstein,F.A. and Goldberger,P. Pelli, Designer of Iconic Buildings Around the World.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/20/arts/cesar-pelli-dead.html

3. Gintoff,V.Spotlight: César Pelli.

https://www.archdaily.com/555428/spotlight-cesar-pelli

4. Petronas Towers from Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petronas_Towers

5. Brenda Nyawara, Petronas Towers by Cesar Pelli

https://www.archute.com/petronas-towers-cesar-pelli/

6. National Museum of Art, Osaka from Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Art,_Osaka

7. Zeballos C.CÉSAR PELLI: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART, OSAKA

http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/2013/02/cesar-pelli-national-museum-of-art-osaka.html
THANK
YOU!