Rafael Viñoly has died in New York aged 78, leaving behind a rich legacy of projects that dot the planet. In his long career, the celebrated architect and mastermind of landmark schemes, such as New York's 432 Park Avenue, one of the world's most distinguished, elegant supertalls, worked tirelessly in his home country of Uruguay, his adopted home in the USA, and beyond. His portfolio consists of a slew of high-profile designs that made his namesake studio one of the most instantly recognisable in the field.
432 Park Avenue
The life and work of Rafael Viñoly
Since 1964, when he helped found South America's influential practice Estudio de Arquitectura aged only 20, the Uruguay-born, New York-based architect has been creating distinguished work, including cultural institutions (beginning with the 1996 Tokyo International Forum), and medical research facilities (the 2010 Dolby Regeneration Medical Building in San Francisco is a stand-out). He also has a raft of masterplans to his name, including Bonds Cay, a privately owned island in the Bahamas. In all his work, Viñoly remained steadfast in his pursuit of intelligence over cool, the timeless and the true over the trendy. He was also a judge in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2012.
432 Park Avenue
His son, Román Viñoly, said in a statement on the passing of his father and collaborator: ‘On behalf of my family, my co-workers and our many partners throughout the world, I am saddened to report that my father, the founder and namesake of our firm Rafael Viñoly Architects, passed away unexpectedly yesterday, 2nd of March, at the age of 78. He was a visionary who will be missed by all those whose lives he touched through his work.
‘He leaves a rich legacy of distinctive and timeless designs that manifested in some of the world’s most recognisable and iconic structures, among them the Tokyo International Forum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Carrasco Airport in Montevideo, and 20 Fenchurch Street in London. The firm’s partners and directors, many of whom have collaborated with him for decades, will extend his architectural legacy in the work we will continue to perform every day.’
On New York’s Hudson River waterfront, pictured centre, is Three Waterline Square by Rafael Viñoly Architects
London-based Christina Seilern, principal of Studio Seilern Architects, worked extensively with the architect as founding director of Viñoly's London office. She has said, in a statement on social media: 'Rafael Viñoly was my mentor, collaborator, and one of my dearest friends. He possessed incredible generosity of thought, with a creative spirit that inspired a generation of architects. I am honoured to have been witness to his electric energy, his endearing humour, his elegance, and his genius.
'Early in my career, he said to me: “You have a wonderful future because you have a wonderful past, and you will continue to build on it, as an architect, a companion, a friend and a mother. I will watch you become the great and successful architect you hope because you just can't help but being one.” He was an unfailing friend – he gave me great courage and for that I am forever grateful. He leaves an immeasurable hole, and will be so deeply missed – my most sincere condolences to Diana, Roman, the family, and the RVA team.'
Viñoly's ring-shaped bridge on the Garzón lagoon in Uruguay
-
Maserati unveils the Fuoriserie By Hiroshi Fujiwara MC20 Cielo modelHiroshi Fujiwara, the so-called Godfather of Streetwear, lends his talents to Maserati’s in-house bespoke division, creating a stylish take on the company’s open-topped supercar
-
Diffar is a new Japanese hair brand making perfume oil at the foot of Mount FujiDiffar, a newly founded Japanese beauty brand, creates perfume oils for hair in its Mount Fuji laboratory that are set to travel the world
-
‘Architecture for Dogs is about exploring the joy and meaning behind design’: ADI’s latest exhibition celebrates the human-canine bondAs a showcase of designs for dogs opens in Milan, we find out why inviting our four-legged friends into exhibitions benefits everybody.
-
A vacant Tribeca penthouse is transformed into a bright, contemporary eyrieA Tribeca penthouse is elevated by Peterson Rich Office, who redesigned it by adding a sculptural staircase and openings to the large terrace
-
Step inside a Brooklyn Brownstone that bridges old and new'Brooklyn Brownstone' has been refreshed by Jon Powell Architects (JPA) and the result is a contemporary design rooted in modern elegance
-
This New York brownstone was transformed through the power of a single, clever moveVoid House, a New York brownstone reimagined by architecture studio Light and Air, is an interior transformed through the power of one smart move
-
First look: step inside 144 Vanderbilt, Tankhouse and SO-IL’s new Brooklyn projectThe first finished duplex inside Tankhouse and SO-IL’s 144 Vanderbilt in Fort Greene is a hyper-local design gallery curated by Brooklyn studio General Assembly
-
Tour Ray's Seagram Building HQ, an ode to art and modernism in New York CityReal estate venture Ray’s Seagram Building HQ in New York is a homage to corporate modernism
-
First look inside 62 Reade Street, a clock factory turned family home62 Reade Street, a boutique New York residential project by architects ODA, unveils its first apartment interior, styled courtesy of Hovey Design
-
Remembering Christopher Charles Benninger (1942-2024)Architect Christopher Charles Benninger has died in Pune, India, at the age of 82; we honour and reflect on his passing
-
Paul Rudolph at The Met: ‘from Christmas lights to megastructures’‘Materialized Space: The Architecture of Paul Rudolph’ opens at the Met in New York, exploring the modernist master's work through a feast of an exhibition
