Noted architect Rafael Viñoly dies at 78 in New York
Uruguayan-born architect Rafael Viñoly has died at age 78 after a career of designing distinctive buildings around the globe
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rafael Viñoly, an Uruguayan-born architect who designed distinctive and iconic buildings around the globe, has died. He was 78.
Viñoly, whose firm is based in New York City, died of an aneurysm on Thursday at a hospital in the city. Roman Viñoly said his father died unexpectedly.
“He leaves a rich legacy of distinctive and timeless designs that manifested in some of the world’s most recognizable and iconic structures, among them the Tokyo International Forum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Carrasco Airport in Montevideo, and 20 Fenchurch Street in London,” Roman Viñoly said in a statement.
The London building is nicknamed the "Walkie Talkie” because of its distinctive curved shape resembling a two-way radio handset.
Viñoly was born on June 1, 1944, in Montevideo, Uruguay. Early in his career, he founded Estudio de Arquitectura, which became one of the largest design studios in Latin America.
He settled in New York City in 1979 and founded Rafael Viñoly Architects four years later.
Viñoly became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1993 and is a member of the Japan Institute of Architects. He was named an International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2006.
He is survived by his wife, Diana, his son, Roman, stepsons Nicolas and Lucas and a brother, Daniel.