Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates reports that managing principal and longtime employee Paul Katz has died. Katz began at the firm in 1984, and his portfolio includes the Roppongi Hills Project, a mixed-use project in Tokyo spanning 11 acres and more than 6 million square feet, that was finished in 2004. He also taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design as well as the Yale School of Architecture. The firm posted this letter on its homepage:
November 21, 2014
Dear Friends,
We are writing to you with the sad and sudden news that our beloved partner Paul Katz has died from septic shock after a brief but valiant battle with cancer. He discovered this illness less than four weeks ago and kept the news within a handful of family members and colleagues as he hoped he would be cured. In a selfless way, he did not want to disturb others in the process.
In his 57 years, Paul accomplished so much. With his high standards and penetrating intellect he contributed to the fundamental value of many of our projects, as well as crafting the structure of our global firm. Over the past decades, he trained and mentored many younger architects at KPF, many of whom have themselves become leaders in our field.
Our firm now moves ahead with the confidence that our staff and principals are among the most effective and gifted in the profession. Paul’s leadership role as President has been assumed by Jamie von Klemperer, his Princeton classmate and close colleague of over 30 years. In addition, the senior leadership of the founders of the firm will continue to play a vital role.
We count on your support as friends and clients to further the mission of the work that we shared so closely with Paul: the design of innovative buildings and the shaping of the great cities of the world.
Sincerely,
Gene Kohn
Chairman
