In memoriam: Rafael Viñoly (1944 – 2023)
Rafael Viñoly, architect of 432 Park Avenue and London’s ‘Walkie Talkie’, has died in New York aged 78
![Rafael Viñoly](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DFJbasDdPMKpCYzkBRd3Za-415-80.jpg)
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
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Take off: Mathieu Lehanneur's Olympic Cauldron rises into the Parisian night sky
The Paris 2024 Olympics’ opening ceremony was closed with a soaring cauldron spectacle that will go down in history
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
Phaidon’s new Graphic Classics is a lavish greatest hits of graphic design
Graphic Classics is a compendium of seven centuries of visual culture, from the everyday and ephemeral to visionary works that reshaped our world
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Birley Chocolate hits the sweet ’n’ chic spot in London’s Chelsea
The new Birley Chocolate shop, a sibling to Birley Bakery, is a confection of colour as delicious as its finely crafted goods
By Melina Keays Published
-
This New York Townhouse renovation is a lesson in contemporary minimalism
TenBerke’s carefully considered New York townhouse is the reimagining of a century-old Manhattan structure that reframes vertical living
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Step inside One High Line's sculptural forms in New York
One High Line, the residential building designed by Bjarke Ingels of BIG with interiors by Gabellini Sheppard and Gilles & Boissier, swirls up into the skyline absorbing its New York City context
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The Greenwich by Rafael Viñoly: an exclusive first look inside
We tour The Greenwich with Román Viñoly, exploring one of his father Rafael Viñoly’s final projects in New York
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Remembering Alexandros Tombazis (1939-2024), and the Metabolist architecture of this 1970s eco-pioneer
Back in September 2010 (W*138), we explored the legacy and history of Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis, who this month celebrates his 80th birthday.
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Take a tour of Bergen, Frida Escobedo's bold debut New York condo with Workstead interiors
An exclusive first look inside Bergen, Mexican architect Frida Escobedo’s debut condo project in New York, with interiors by Brooklyn design studio Workstead
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Tour this 450 Warren apartment, architect Sebastian Mendez’s Brooklyn home
In 450 Warren, architect Sebastian Mendez, founder of Brooklyn-based developer Tankhouse, takes us on a tour of his modern, family-friendly home
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Designer Holly Waterfield creates luxurious pied-à-terre in Renzo Piano Manhattan high-rise
A private residence by Holly Waterfield Interior Design in Renzo Piano's skyscraper 565 Broome Soho blends a sense of calm and cosiness with stunning city views
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Cubitts Mercer Street in New York is a moody ‘treasure box’ of depth and drama
Cubitts Mercer Street opens in New York to a concept by London-based studio Tutto Bene, offering sleek details and moody design
By Ellie Stathaki Published