Elia Zenghelis

Elia Zenghelis co-founded the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in 1975 alongside renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, Madelon Vriesendorp, and Zoe Zenghelis. This collaborative venture initially began in London before becoming a globally influential firm based in Rotterdam. The founding of OMA marked a major shift in modern architectural theory.

Zenghelis had a significant impact on architectural education, teaching at the Architectural Association (AA) in London, where he first met and mentored Rem Koolhaas. He later co-founded the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam and also taught at the Universität der Künste in Berlin. His teaching philosophy deeply influenced a generation of contemporary architects.

During his time with OMA, Zenghelis contributed to seminal conceptual projects like the "Exodus, or the Voluntary Prisoners of Architecture" in 1972. This provocative project explored the idea of dividing London into a desirable core and a surrounding hinterland. It remains one of the most studied theoretical works of 20th-century architecture.

Zenghelis's design philosophy often embraces a pragmatic yet radical approach to urbanism, focusing on the metropolitan scale and the complex dynamics of modern cities. His academic and professional work frequently challenges traditional architectural boundaries by integrating art, politics, and social theory. He has always prioritized the conceptual framework of a building over pure stylistic formalism.