Eliel and Eero Saarinen

Happy Birthday Eliel and Eero Saarinen!! Father and son were architects, born in 1873 and 1910 on this same day in history! Eliel was born in Finland, his son, Eero, an important American architect. Eliel was educated and began his career in Helsinki, Finland. He also completed commissions in Estonia and Budapest before moving to the US in 1923. He was a visiting professor at the University of Michigan. Eliel went on to design the campus for and then become president of the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1932. His son Eero, studied sculpture and furniture design there, and was close friends with famed designers Charles and Ray Eames. He followed his father’s footsteps and headed an architectural firm responsible for many landmark structures including the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial or the St. Louis Arch as it is more commonly called. Eliel is best known for the Gulf Building (Houston), which was originally an entry of his for the Tribune Tower (Chicago) competition (for which he was awarded 2nd place).