Danish architect Jørn Utzon unexpectedly wins the competition to design the Sydney Opera House in Australia. By the time it is opened in 1973 he will have resigned from the project and never sees the completed building.
May 18 – Ai Weiwei, Chinese contemporary artist, active in sculpture, installation, architecture, curating, photography, film, and social, political and cultural criticism[4][5]
August 5 – Shigeru Ban, Japanese architect known for use of paper and cardboard
February 2 – Julia Morgan, first woman to be admitted to the architecture program at l'École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and the first woman architect licensed in California (born 1872)