Filippo Brunelleschi (1377–1446) is often known as the first architect of the Renaissance although many thought his structures were simple but had a great structure. Filippo was one of the architects of the Florence Cathedral.

Leon Battista Alberti (1404–1472) Leon notably used two ornately inlaid scrolls to bridge the nave and lower aisles of the Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Leon brilliantly solved a visual problem and established a pattern that other church builders would follow for the next 400 years.

Juan Bautista de Toledo (1515-1567) was from Spain and had worked in civil works, the military, and architecture. One of his famous structures is the Escorial, a religious establishment.

Vitruvius (80/70 BC - 15) was an architect from Rome whose writing influenced architects in the renaissance. He is well known for his designs for the Roman military as well as one of his books, De Architectura.