Rafael Viñoly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rafael Viñoly Beceiro
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Rafael Viñoly
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| Born | 1 June 1944 Montevideo, Uruguay
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| Died | 2 March 2023 (aged 78) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Buenos Aires |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Awards | International Fellow, The Royal Institute of British Architects (2007), Medal of Honor, American Institute of Architects, New York Chapter (1995), National Academician, The National Academy (1994) |
| Practice | Rafael Viñoly Architects PC |
| Buildings | Brooklyn Children's Museum Tokyo International Forum The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Cleveland Museum of Art David L. Lawrence Convention Center Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia Farm Research Campus Bronx County Hall of Justice Carrasco International Airport 432 Park Avenue 20 Fenchurch Street NEMA (Chicago) |
Rafael Viñoly Beceiro (born June 1, 1944 – died March 2, 2023) was a famous architect from Uruguay. He later lived and worked in New York City, USA. He was the leader of his own architecture company, Rafael Viñoly Architects, which he started in 1983. His company has offices in many cities around the world, like New York, London, and Buenos Aires. Viñoly designed many important and well-known buildings across the globe.
He became very famous internationally for his design of the Tokyo International Forum in Japan. When this building was being built, a famous architecture critic from New York Times said Viñoly's design was "a monument to the idea of openness." This meant the building felt welcoming and clear, showing how architecture can be smart and easy to understand.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rafael Viñoly was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on June 1, 1944. His father, Román Viñoly Barreto, was a director for movies and theater. His mother, Maria Beceiro, was a math teacher. Their home was a place where people talked about art, music, and famous architects like Le Corbusier.
When Rafael was five years old, his family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina. His father was invited to direct a famous opera there. Rafael went to the University of Buenos Aires. He earned a degree in Architecture in 1968 and a Master's degree in Architecture in 1969.
His Career as an Architect
In 1964, Rafael Viñoly started an architecture firm in Buenos Aires with six friends. This group became one of the biggest architecture companies in South America. They designed many important buildings very quickly.
In 1978, Viñoly and his family moved to the United States. He taught for a short time at Harvard University. In 1979, he settled in New York City. There, in 1983, he started his own company, Rafael Viñoly Architects PC.
His first big project in New York was the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, finished in 1988. In 1989, he won a global competition to design the Tokyo International Forum. This huge project was completed in 1996. His firm was also a finalist in the competition to redesign the World Trade Center after 9/11.
Over his career, which lasted more than 40 years, Viñoly worked in many countries. These included the United States, countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Viñoly was known for designing buildings that were very practical and useful. He was especially good at designing large public buildings like schools, hospitals, and convention centers. He once said he was interested in "unglamorousness." This meant he cared more about how people would use a building every day than about it looking super fancy. He believed that buildings should be designed to be used and experienced by people, not just to look good in photos. He felt that architecture should be a "social act" that helps the city and its people.
Rafael Viñoly was a member of several important architectural groups. These included the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
His Family Life
Rafael Viñoly was married to Diana Viñoly, who was an interior designer. He admired her style, saying her designs were "mixed and unorthodox but never busy."
Their son, Román Viñoly, followed in his father's footsteps and is now a director at Rafael Viñoly Architects. Rafael also had two stepsons, Nicolas and Lucas Michael.
The family lived in several places, including New York City and London. Rafael Viñoly even built a special "piano house" on Long Island for his collection of nine large concert grand pianos.
He always stayed connected to his home country, Uruguay. He spent summers there and designed buildings in Montevideo. One of his beautiful recent projects was the Laguna Garzón Bridge. This bridge has a circular shape and is designed to be eco-friendly. It helps people cross a sensitive natural area on Uruguay's coast.
Death and Legacy
Rafael Viñoly passed away in New York City on March 2, 2023, at the age of 78. He left behind a legacy of many important and well-designed buildings around the world.
Famous Buildings He Designed
Some of Rafael Viñoly's most well-known buildings include:
- 432 Park Avenue in Manhattan, New York City.
- 20 Fenchurch Street in London, England (also known as the "Walkie-Talkie" building).
- The Curve Theatre in Leicester, England.
- Firstsite art gallery in Colchester, England.
- Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo, Japan.
- David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, USA.
- Brooklyn Children's Museum in New York, USA.
- Carrasco International Airport in Montevideo, Uruguay.
What He Believed In
Rafael Viñoly had strong ideas about architecture. Here are some of his thoughts:
- "There is an enormous social responsibility in what architects do. It is important to push beyond the obvious in order to make something more than what is required." This means he believed architects have a big duty to society. They should always try to make buildings that are more than just basic structures; they should have cultural meaning and improve the city.
- He also said that great architecture is not just about what you see, but "It is about what you feel." He believed that the best buildings create a special experience for people inside them.
Awards and Honors
Rafael Viñoly received many awards for his work, including:
- International Fellow, The Royal Institute of British Architects (2006)
- Medal of Honor, American Institute of Architects, New York City Chapter (1995)
- National Academician, The National Academy of Design (1994)
- Fellow, American Institute of Architects (1993)
Images for kids
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David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh
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Interior of Tokyo International Forum
See also
In Spanish: Rafael Viñoly para niños
