Through the post-war 20th century, the Global South saw much influence from foreign architects, often invited by local governments to bring their expertise and visionary thinking. Sought as a symbol of modernity, buildings designed by "starchitects" elevated the image of nations. Decades later, as local industries advance in capabilities, the desire for foreign talent continues to exist. Is this a natural result of globalization or is the continued presence of international architects in the Global South a persistent dependency?
Historical precedents show examples of governments turning to foreign architects for development work, inviting them to design their country's most famous structures. Western architects were frequently commissioned to design landmark projects in the Global South, particularly in post-colonial nations seeking to declare their new identities through architecture. This phenomenon brought new practices and architectural styles to countries that otherwise operated on vernacular forms of expression. Alternative materials also found their way into local practices as they inherited an architectural vocabulary from other lands.
