December 1 is the birthday of Minoru Yamasaki, who designed the World Trade Center buildings that were destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Yamasaki was born in Seattle, Washington in 1912. He became noted for impressive, sculptural buildings such as the Lambert–St. Louis Municipal Air Terminal, the American Concrete Institute, the Reynolds Metal Company, and the U.S. science pavilion at the 1962 Seattle Exposition.

For information about reconstruction on Ground Zero, visit our World Trade Center Resources page.

^{Photo © Mary Ann Sullivan, Digital Imaging Project}

Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who captivated the world with his design for the controversial Sydney Opera House, has suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 90 years old.

The Pritzker Prize-winning architect faced a number of challenges recently. A degenerative eye condition left Utzon nearly blind. Also, Utzon had reportedly clashed with his son and grandson over details of the remodeling project at Sydney Opera House.

There is no doubt, however, that the artistic clashes will be quickly forgotten as the world honors Jorn Utzon's powerful legacy.

• Photo Tour: Architecture by Jorn Utzon
• AP Story: Sydney Opera House Designer Jorn Utzon
• Building Design: Utzons Clash Over Opera House Refurb

^{Photo by David Messent, courtesy of Jørn Utzon/Utzon Architects and the Pritzker Prize Committee}

Skyscraper pioneer Cass Gilbert was born on November 29, 1859. Known for his Neo-Gothic skyscrapers and his classically-inspired public buildings, Cass Gilbert helped shape the way cities look like today.

^{Photo: The US Supreme Court Building by Cass Gilbert
© VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm, Getty Images}

Here in the midst of Thanksgiving preparations and holiday shopping, it's horrifying to watch events unfold in Mumbai, the historic city once known as Bombay. So much death and destruction. Why?

One historic site targeted by terrorists is the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, India. Built in 1903, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is an architectural landmark next to the Gateway of India monument. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel features onyx columns, vaulted alabaster ceilings, a cantilever stairway, and prized collections of Indian furnishings and art. Its 565 rooms are decorated in Moorish, Oriental, and Florentine styles. The terrorist attacks caused extensive fire damage.

• Architecture in India
• Landmarks of Mumbai, India
• 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks
• Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai, India

_{Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Photo (cc) Flickr Member Nikhil Kulkarni}