The Most Important Architect Who Ever Lived

Vitruvius was a man of his time, but his ideas about architecture have lasted far beyond it.

Over two thousand years ago, he wrote De Architectura, the only surviving major work on architecture from ancient Rome. It’s a book that shaped how we think about buildings, design, and the very role of architecture in human life.

Let’s look at Vitruvius’s core ideas and why they still matter today…

Vitruvius’s early life remains somewhat of a mystery. We know he was born around 80-70 BCE, likely in northern Italy. What we do know is that he was educated in the classical arts and sciences—studying subjects like geometry, philosophy, and engineering. This diverse education gave him the foundation needed to later write about architecture, where his wide-ranging knowledge would prove invaluable.

He worked as a military engineer under Julius Caesar, which provided him with hands-on experience in constructing fortifications and machinery. These years shaped his understanding of strength and utility in design. It was during this time that he likely saw the gaps in architectural theory and became convinced that buildings needed more than just practical solutions—they needed to follow principles that harmonized with human nature and the world around them.

His military experience was a turning point. The transition from engineering to architecture was not an immediate one, but the foundational skills he developed in constructing fortifications would directly influence his future architectural work. After Caesar’s campaigns, Vitruvius turned his attention to the broader concept of architecture, focusing on its connection to human needs, beauty, and nature.

Vitruvius believed that architecture had three main qualities: firmness, commodity, and delight. These three ideas have become the backbone of Western architecture ever since.

Firmness: A building must be strong and durable. Without this, it’s not a building at all—it’s a liability. Vitruvius understood that architecture was not just about how something looks but how it stands the test of time.

Commodity: A building must be functional. It must serve its purpose. For Vitruvius, this meant that a home should provide shelter, a temple should provide space for worship, and so on. Architecture must accommodate human life, not just serve as an aesthetic object.

Delight: A building should also be beautiful. It should inspire and elevate. Vitruvius believed that beauty was an essential component of a good building, but he was careful to make it clear that beauty didn’t mean excess. It meant harmony, proportion, and balance.

These three principles are as relevant now as they were when Vitruvius wrote them down.

Here are three examples of ancient Roman buildings that align with Vitruvius' principles of architecture:

The Pantheon (Rome, Italy) - This iconic structure is a masterpiece of Roman architecture and a perfect example of Vitruvius' principles in action. The Pantheon’s design is based on harmonious proportions, with its perfect circular dome representing a geometric and symmetrical relationship. The use of the classical orders, balanced proportions, and the interplay between interior and exterior spaces reflect Vitruvius' ideals of symmetry, proportion, and beauty.

The Colosseum (Rome, Italy) - While a massive and functional structure, the Colosseum also follows Vitruvian principles of proportion and order. Its three tiers of arches are ordered according to the classical orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) and arranged symmetrically. The Colosseum’s vast scale is balanced by its use of proportions and a design that focuses on the human experience within the structure, from the seating arrangements to the circulation through the building.

The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine (Rome, Italy) - A later Roman structure that perfectly reflects Vitruvius' ideas, this basilica is known for its large, open interior space and its use of proportionate and symmetrical design elements. The soaring vaulted ceilings and expansive hall are designed to inspire awe and a sense of balance, following Vitruvius' emphasis on the connection between form, function, and human scale.

What Vitruvius did was give us a framework—a set of guiding principles that allowed architecture to move beyond the whims of individual designers and into something more universal. He gave architects a way to think about their work in terms of human needs and enduring values.

His ideas influenced the Renaissance architects who rediscovered his work, and they’ve continued to shape the designs of buildings ever since. The concept of proportion in architecture, for example, has its roots in Vitruvius’s work.

His influence extends far beyond classical architecture. Even in modern times, when we look at any building that balances strength, function, and beauty, we’re seeing the imprint of Vitruvius’s ideas.

In his later years, Vitruvius became a sought-after figure in architectural circles. His work as a military engineer gave him a unique credibility, and he used his expertise to become a respected figure in architectural design. His writings, however, were not just focused on practical matters. They also discussed the philosophical side of architecture, linking the design of buildings with the rhythms of nature and human proportion.

Though Vitruvius lived and wrote in a world far removed from our own, his ideas have survived through the ages. In many ways, his writings served as a manual for Renaissance architects such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. These architects drew from his principles, particularly the concept of proportion and the relationship between architecture and nature.

Vitruvius’s ideas would ultimately help shape the development of Western architecture for centuries. His focus on balance, function, and beauty formed the foundation for many of the ideals that would be expressed in classical and Renaissance architecture.

When we design, we should ask ourselves: Does this building stand strong? Does it serve a purpose? And does it inspire delight? These questions are as valuable now as they were thousands of years ago.

Vitruvius may have written his treatise long before the age of skyscrapers and smart cities, but his vision for architecture remains a cornerstone of how we think about the built environment. His principles were not just about bricks and mortar; they were about making spaces that enhance human life—and that’s a lesson we still need today.