The Form Givers: A Viñoly Tribute and Biopic Film Forum

In the footsteps of their mentor, the late Rafael Viñoly, FAIA, JIA, SCA, Int. FRIBA, the work of Scott Glass, AIA, LEED AP, Brendan Guerin, AIA, LEED AP, Cary Paik, AIA, and Christina Seilern, ARB, RIBA SBA, introduces the industry at large to new ways of shaping the built environment. Like Viñoly, each is the quintessential example of a form giver. All four designers are creators of boutique and influential design firms with an international reputation for bringing about sculptural and evocative solutions to every custom commission they receive—from homes to hotels, and including interior surfaces and objects. 

Working together early in their careers and under the tutelage of an architect who valued craft and functionality as essential attributes of physical beauty, all four have inspiring stories to tell about their personal journey towards developing “bespoke” buildings, spaces, fixtures, and finishes. Each product of their practices is uniquely conceived for the particular end user, and with the same remarkable attention to detail and execution that has become the hallmark of Viñoly’s iconic work.

Presented as both a biopic film forum and a tribute to Viñoly, the event will showcase the major influences the four architects experienced during their journey from emerging professional to lauded practitioners, as seen through biographical short films. Additionally, Andrea Lamberti, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Partner at Rafael Viñoly Architects (RVA), will moderate a roundtable discussion to reflect upon the time when the five colleagues’ paths crossed in RVA's New York office in the late ‘90s so they may collectively share lessons learned back then and since. An open dialogue with the audience will explore their perspective on how key moments in the lifecycle of an architect’s professional development can set an individual on a course to becoming a form giver.

Speakers:
Brendan Guerin, AIA, LEED AP, Co-founder and Principal, Guerin Glass Architects 
Cary Paik, AIA, Founder and Principal, Paik Architecture and Paik Construction 
Christina Seilern, ARB, RIBA SBA, Founder and Principal, Studio Seilern Architects
Scott Glass, AIA, LEED AP, Co-founder and Principal, Guerin Glass Architects, Biopic Only

Moderator: 
Andrea Lamberti, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Partner, Rafael Viñoly Architects

About the Speakers:

Brendan Guerin was a project manager at Rafael Viñoly Architects and, more recently, a senior designer at Perkins & Wills. As with the firm’s co-founder Scott Glass, Guerin taps into his experience working in a diverse set of projects, from master planning to residential design/builds, from large-scale commercial development properties to custom-made furniture. Through the diversity of these experiences, he has come to understand that the most successful outcomes come from a highly collaborative design process.

Cary Paik founded Paik Architecture, PLLC as a platform for innovative and purposeful design. As both a licensed contractor and registered architect, Paik’s understands the subtleties of architecture and the technical rigors of construction. “By listening and learning from our clients, we refine and improve the way a space is used and experienced.” Paik, who also worked at Rafael Viñoly Architects, has since assembled a broad and diverse portfolio derived from both design and construction commissions that exemplifies his philosophy: Simplicity and clarity of form makes for a better, stress-free living environment.

Christina Seilern is the Founder and Principal of Studio Seilern Architects. Seilern was the founder and design director of Rafael Viñoly Architects London, responsible for projects such as Mahler 4 Tower in Amsterdam, Walkie Talkie in London, and Wageningen University Research Center in Netherlands. SSA is a London based creative practice, renowned for producing exceptional architecture internationally. SSA was established to continue “the strong design ethos” developed working with Viñoly. Seilern applies her unique style across a range of building typologies, geographies, and scales. She tackles commissions that range from designing city master plans down to designing lighting fixtures.

Scott Glass had been working at Rafael Viñoly Architects on the Cleveland Museum of Art before teaming up with Brendan Guerin to form Guerin Glass Architects, a boutique design firm that “strives to serve a broad range of people from every part of the world and walk of life.” Their practice includes architecture, interior design, and planning. Additionally, the firm has a sister fabrication and construction company called Composite.

Andrea Lamberti, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, AIA LEED AP BD+C, joined Rafael Viñoly Architects in 1997 and became partner in 2009. Over the course of her tenure at the firm, she has been involved in every aspect of practice, and she has led sustainable and civic educational, research, healthcare and cultural projects. She and the firm’s partners continue to build on the firm’s foundational mission that each project should deliver beyond its brief and uphold the civic responsibility of architecture to give back to the community it serves. In 2022, Andrea served president of AIA New York, supporting the architectural community’s aspirations of achieving a Just Practice through their project work and through leadership within their firms, practices schools and organizations.