Albert Speer (1905-1981) studied architecture in Karlsruhe, Munich and Berlin. He joined the NSDAP in 1931 and was appointed by the party to head the section for artistic design/management of large-scale public events in 1933.

After the death of Paul Ludwig Troost (Hitler's favorite architect) in 1934, Speer became Hitler's advisor in building matters.

In 1937 Speer was appointed General Inspector for the re-design of Berlin but his architectural activities were restricted after 1942 when he became Minister for "Weapons and Munitions" and General Inspector for "Streets and Fortifications" and "Water and Energy" -- in 1943 he was appointed Minister for "Armament and War Production".

Among other icons of Nazi architecture, Speer was responsible for the gigantic Nazi-Party complex in Nürnberg: the Reichspareitagsgebauten.

Speer was sentence to 20 years imprisonment at the Nürnberg trials in 1946.