ST. LOUIS – Gyo Obata, a world-renowned architect known for designing the main terminal at St. Louis Lambert Airport, the St. Louis Science Center, and other entertainment arenas, airports and a presidential library, has died at the age of 99.
Obata was of the three cofounders of St. Louis-based HOK, now among the world’s largest architecture and engineering firms.
HOK's notable designs include the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, Camden Yards baseball stadium in Baltimore, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.
Around St. Louis, his other notable works are the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus, the Priory Chapel at Saint Louis Abbey, One Metropolitan Square, St. Louis Galleria, The Living World at the St. Louis Zoo among others.
Due to his significant contributions to the St. Louis region, Obata was even inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 1992.
Obata’s career spanned six decades and he retired in 2012 according to HOK. He also maintained an office at HOK’s St. Louis studio until 2018 where he regularly served as a design advisor to his colleauges.
He was born in 1923 in San Francisco. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1945 and earned a master's degree at Cranbrook Academy of Arts in suburban Detroit.
HOK said in a release that Obata approached each project “without preconceptions and designed to serve the needs, values and aspirations of the people and community it serves.”
“Instead of designing for the fashions of the times or to make a personal statement, Gyo designed to improve lives. He was a kind, thoughtful man who developed warm, personal relationships with his colleagues and clients. People believed in him, which is an essential part of turning drawings into buildings,” said Bill Valentine, FAIA, HOK’s chairman emeritus in a press release.
Obata received several awards and honors during his career and also served in the army
He died Tuesday in St. Louis, his family said. A cause of death was not announced.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.