Craig Ellwood

Craig Ellwood (1922-1992) was a seminal American architect famed for his substantial contributions to the mid-century modern movement. Despite lacking a formal architectural education, Ellwood emerged as a defining figure in post-World War II design, carving out a distinctive style marked by simplicity, clarity, and transparency. Born Jon Nelson Burke, he adopted the moniker “Craig Ellwood” as a pseudonym to separate his architectural persona from his business identity. Embracing modernism and the principles of the International Style, Ellwood’s work emphasized functionalism, employing open spaces, clean lines, and geometric clarity in his designs. His innovative use of materials and construction techniques, often utilizing steel, glass, and concrete, conveyed a sense of lightness and transparency.