Legendary architect Richard Meier, known for his penchant for the color white and his abstract and geometric designs including the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the OCT Shenzhen Clubhouse in China, and the iconic Charles Street and Perry Street Towers in New York, needs no introduction. His Los Angeles and New York-based Richard Meier & Partners Architects is celebrating 55 years in the industry this year and has no plans of slowing down, with projects in the works spanning residential, commercial, and hospitality alike. Recently, Meier hosted the Art of Food event with chef Claus Meyer on February 10th where 25 culinary titans created dishes inspired by a work of art curated by Sotheby’s for one-night only. We caught up with him to discuss his design philosophy, refreshing the historic Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club in Surfside, Florida, and his best piece of advice.
If you had to sum up your design process in two sentences, what would it be?
First is to understand the context in which the project is to be built, and second is to relate the client’s program to that context.
You have a few pretty high-profile residential projects in the pipeline. What do you think people want in a luxury condo building today?
People are looking for as much space and as much light as they can afford.
What were you looking to create for the redevelopment project Teachers Village in Newark, New Jersey?
We hoped to (and I think we did) create a community. The mixed-use buildings include residential apartments, two charter schools, and retail spaces. We specifically designed a flexible community space within each of the buildings in order to give students areas to work with teachers outside of class. We also created publicly accessible outdoor spaces. Teachers Village is one important component of several new development initiatives in New Jersey, and we’re proud to be part of the revitalization of downtown Newark.
What did you want to create for the historic redo of the Four Seasons Hotel at Surf Club in Surfside, Florida?
The Surf Club has a rich history, and we wanted to preserve that. Since the existing building was relatively small, we incorporated it within the new design, which includes condominium apartments as well as a hotel. The original building became the nucleus of the buildings that were built above and around it.
What are you working on next?
We’re hoping to do a new project in Bogotá, Columbia as well as a new project in Mexico City. Both are urban projects in very interesting locations.
Why did you want to be a host of this year’s Our Town’s Art of Food event presented by New York-Presbyterian at Sotheby’s, a night that celebrates dishes inspired by the featured artwork?
I like food, and it’s a great opportunity for me to learn a little bit about how great chefs create food for special occasions. Each chef had seen the artwork that will be on display, and [it’s always interesting to] hear from them how the art influenced the menu.
What’s still on your bucket list?
Another museum. A museum is a place where people come together to appreciate art, to have a richer understanding of history, and to communicate with one another about ideas that are prompted by what they see in the museum. They are places of coming together, and I absolutely love designing them.
What has been your greatest lesson learned?
Stick with it. There may be ups and downs along the way, but perseverance will be rewarded. The work ultimately speaks for itself.
