The bold and inventive architect Arata Isozaki was born on July 23, 1931 in Oita, Kyushu, Japan. Inspired by the New Wave movement known as Metabolism, Arata Isozaki often integrates Eastern ideas into his designs. Shown here is Isozaki's Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angles.

To commemorate Arata Isozaki's 77th birthday, 7 different venues in different parts of the world are exhibiting 7 of his works illustrating 7 important themes. The series of exhibitions is called Arata Isozaki: 7 Invitations.

^{Photo © Flickr Member "Jchatoff"}

The Pritzker Prize-winning British architect Richard Rogers was born on July 23, 1933 in Florence, Italy. His early years didn't seem promising. Richard Rogers suffered dyslexia and didn't excel in school. But, after a scrape with the law and a stint in the military, Rogers decided to follow in the footsteps of an architect cousin. The rest is history.

See drawings and photos of Rogers' grand yet transparent buildings in our Richard Rogers Picture Gallery >>

^{Illustration: Designed by Richard Rogers Partnership, Tower 3 at the new World Trade Center will use a structural load-sharing system of diamond-shaped braces. Photomontage by Team Macarie, Courtesy Richard Rogers Partnership}