Carlos Raul Villanueva was born on May 30, 1900 in England to a Venezuelan father and a French mother. His family moved back to Venezuela when he was a young child, where he would eventually become one of the most influential architects in the country.
At a young age, Villanueva showed a passion for architecture and design. He studied at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he learned from acclaimed architects Gabriel Héraud and León Joseph Madeline. This education would lay the foundation for his future success in the field.
One of Villanueva's first major commissions was the Museum of Fine Arts of Caracas in 1935. This project showcased his innovative and modernist approach to architecture, setting the stage for his later works.
Villanueva had a profound impact on the architecture of Venezuela. He helped modernize and develop cities such as Caracas and Maracay, leaving his mark on the landscape of the country. One of his most famous projects was the Ciudad Universitaria, a campus that was later declared a World Heritage Site.
Villanueva was a proponent of Modernism, a design movement that emphasized simplicity and functionality. Many consider the Universidad Central de Venezuela to be his masterpiece, showcasing his commitment to this aesthetic.
Architecture ran in Villanueva's family, as his older brother Marcel was also an architect. Villanueva's first job was at the architectural firm Guilbert and Betelle in Neward, New Jersey, where his brother was working at the time. He married Paulina Astoul in 1893, starting a family of his own.
Villanueva's impact on Venezuelan architecture cannot be overstated. His innovative designs and commitment to modernism continue to inspire architects and designers to this day. He and Le Corbusier, a contemporary architect, were instrumental in shaping the architectural landscape of their time.