Today Richard Meier & Partners Architects announced that its namesake founder "will step back from day-to-day activities" following a leave of absence. Associate partner Bernhard Karpf, FAIA, will be taking the reigns as managing principal of the firm's New York headquarters, and Los Angeles–based design partner Michael Palladino, FAIA, who headed "all operations and projects" during Richard Meier, FAIA's leave, will remain the leader of the firm's West Coast practice.
In March, Meier took what was described at the time as a six-month leave of absence following sexual harassment allegations published in The New York Times. Nearly seven months have passed since this leave of absence was announced. Earlier this year, multiple industry organizations reacted to the allegations: Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning pulled plans for an endowed position named for Meier, the Architectural League revoked Meier’s status as a Life Trustee, Sotheby's closed a show of his work early, and AIA New York rescinded Meier's 2018 Design Awards. The American Institute of Architects also released a statement regarding the allegations.
The full press release is copied below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHARD MEIER & PARTNERS ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES
- Bernhard Karpf Promoted to Managing Principal of New York Office
- Michael Palladino to Continue to Lead All West Coast Activities
NEW YORK, October 9, 2018 – Richard Meier & Partners Architects today announced that it has promoted Bernhard Karpf to Managing Principal of the New York office of the world-renown architecture firm. Mr. Karpf will manage the firm, spearhead new business development and position the company for future growth and success.
The firm also announced the promotion of Vivian Lee, Reynolds Logan and Dukho Yeon to Principals. They will be responsible for new business, and design and project execution.
Founder Richard Meier will step back from day-to-day activities and support the leadership transition of the firm he founded in 1963. He will remain available to colleagues and clients who seek his vast experience and counsel. The firm will maintain and develop the rigorous design philosophy that Richard pioneered.
Michael Palladino, who has worked as a partner and principal designer at Richard Meier & Partners for more than three decades, will continue to lead all West Coast activities with Jim Crawford, including work in the United States and abroad. He commented: “I appreciate and support Richard Meier’s decision to undertake this transition. Bernhard Karpf is a talented architect with 30 years of experience and is committed to the design and execution philosophy and vision of the firm. I have every confidence that with the support of the team in the New York office, this leadership transition will be seamless and successful.”
Mr. Karpf joined Richard Meier & Partners in 1988 and has served as a design leader in the New York office since 2001. Recently completed under his design direction are the Leblon Offices in Rio de Janeiro, the Surf Club Residences at Surfside, Florida, and the Torre Cuarzo on Reforma in Mexico City. He currently leads the design efforts for the new Engel & Völkers headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, and for new residential projects in Stuttgart, Germany, and Jesolo Lido, Italy. As member of the American Institute of Architects, he was elevated to the College of Fellows of the AIA in 2018.
Mr. Karpf said: “It is an honor to lead this talented team as we build upon the body of work we have created over a half-century. Richard’s vision has produced a unique architectural design language that is instantly recognizable and internationally celebrated. I am committed to support both the New York and Los Angeles offices as we continue to evolve and grow.”
In addition to the three principals, the firm announced that six professionals in the New York office have been elevated to the positions of Associate Principal and Senior Associate. They include:
• Stefan Scheiber-Loeis, Associate Principal (22 years at RMP)
• Hans Put, Associate Principal (21 years at RMP)
• Ringo Offermann, AIA, Associate Principal (15 years at RMP)
• Guillermo Murcia, Associate Principal, (13 years at RMP)
• Amalia Rusconi-Clerici, Senior Associate, (12 years at RMP)
• Jerome Engelking, Senior Associate (12 years at RMP)
The company is engaging professional advisors to facilitate the transition and expects to develop its strategy within the next year.
About Richard Meier & Partners Architects
For more than five decades, Richard Meier & Partners has been commissioned to design important buildings, and it has successfully completed over 130 projects across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Among its best-known works are: the Smith House in Darien, Connecticut; the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California; the United States Courthouse in Islip, New York; and the Jubilee Church in Rome, Italy.
Founded in 1963 by Pritzker Prize laureate Richard Meier, the firm is today led by Michael Palladino in Los Angeles and Bernhard Karpf in New York. The offices in New York and Los Angeles employ a multicultural staff of talented professionals practicing architecture, urbanism, product design and exhibition design. The quality of the work has been recognized with almost 300 design awards, including major awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). For more information on the work of Richard Meier & Partners, please visit www.richardmeier.com or contact [email protected].
