Grafton Architects was set up in 1978 by Yvonne Farrell (b 1951) and Shelley McNamara (b 1952). The pair are skilful in their use of brick and concrete, playing with surface, weight and texture and manipulating light and shadow to convey a sense of gravity or lightness.

Diébédo Francis Kéré (b 1965) bridges the worlds of Africa and Europe, promoting a sustainable architecture that uses local materials, labour and building methods enhanced and modified by modern technology. His role as an architect often extends to that of social catalyst, fundraiser and builder, and his work places the community at the heart of design, construction and use.

Kengo Kuma (b 1954) is interested in a concept he calls ‘weak architecture’, developed in part as a reaction to the devastating Kobe earthquake of 1995. This sees architecture as subservient to nature and influences everything from siting buildings and framing the environment to materials and construction methods.

Focused on small, often self-initiated projects, Li Xiaodong (b 1963) is interested in developing an appropriate ‘Chinese architecture’ that brings together traditional and contemporary modes of expression, technical knowledge and artistic judgement.

His architecture combines a spiritual exploration of ideas with rational thinking and is based on a continuing enquiry into the underlying concepts of space in the Chinese context.

Pezo von Ellrichshausen was founded in 2002 by Mauricio Pezo (b.1973) and Sofia von Ellrichshausen (b.1976) in Concepción, Chile. Their work lies at the crossroads between art and architecture with a portfolio that includes installations and houses in Chile, USA, Portugal and Spain. Their best known works are the Poli house in Coliumo, Chile (2005) and their home and studio the Cien house in Concepción, Chile (2011).

The work of Pritzker Prize-winning Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza (b 1933) is characterised by simplicity and restraint. His architecture treads a delicate line between tradition and modernity, combining craftsmanship with the techniques and materials of the machine age.

Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura (b 1952) sees architecture as a continuing story that builds on the past. Nevertheless, his buildings – including houses, office blocks, art galleries and a football stadium – have a striking visual impact, often making dramatic use of geometric shapes or sweeping curves. While these are visually powerful works, they are also human in scale and rewarding in use.