Louis Edward Sauer (born 1928) is a Canadian-American architect and design theorist of dual American and Canadian nationality, known for his role in the renewal in Society Hill, Philadelphia and his contributions to low-rise, high-density housing.
This interest led him to employ the social sciences (especially social-psychology) in his design research and programming in order to better understand the interrelationships between architecture and the occupancy needs of the anticipated users of his sites and buildings.
Louis Sauer was born to an Italian mother and a German father, both doctors in alternative medicine, with the family living modestly in Oak Park Illinois.
Between the ages of ten and eighteen, Sauer would go on to work a variety of part-time jobs: as a window washer, corner newspaper boy, life guard, magazine distributor, shoe salesman, among others.
After graduating from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 1946, Sauer began as a student in pre-medicine at DePaugh University, but moved out of the sciences to pursue an interest in art and photography.
[5] He then joined the 1956 summer session of Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM) in Venice at the Istituto Universitario di Architettura spending a formative period studying under architects such as Giuseppe Samonà, Jacob Bakema and Giancarlo De Carlo.
[5] In spite of his contributions to the field of architecture, his discontent with his low fees which amounted to developer profits would eventually lead Sauer to close his Philadelphia office by June 1979.
His decision to close his office took many fellow practitioners by surprise, giving up a successful private practice and moving on to a full-time academic career as Head of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University.
[5][8] "It has been a long time since the architecture of our day has accomplished as much for human liveability... Sauer's splendid design, at relatively moderate prices, should remove the last reasonable objections to the row-house idea.
During this time, he played a key role in developing the Society Hill regeneration plan, which aimed to secure federal funding for the initiation of the redevelopment process.
Sauer's responsibilities encompassed documenting the architectural features of chosen historic structures, participating in decisions regarding restoration, renewal, or demolition and reconstruction, and creating alternative illustrative site plans for urban areas designated for both low-rise and high-rise construction.
Administrators needed to navigate between explicit public commitments to address social issues in deteriorating neighborhoods and acknowledging the market's rules, where investors directly intervene to maximize profits for effectiveness.
His urban approach provided a strong singular image, with the streets and squares as social spaces, and allowed for integration of economic groups, building types and architectural styles.