The famous, Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier retires as his eponymous firm removes his name, restructures, and rebrands. Formerly known as Richard Meier & Partners Architects, the firm was founded by the retiring architect in 1963 and is now named Meier Partners.
image of Richard Meier is by Silja Magg
Three years ago, 86-year-old Richard Meier was accused of sexual harassment and assault by five women, four of whom are former employees at the firm. The accusations were revealed through a New York Times investigation – after that, and at the peak of the #MeToo Movement, similar accusations were directed at the renowned architect by several other women.
Immediately after that, in March of 2018, Richard Meier took a temporary leave of absence for six months, followed by an announcement that he permanently stepped down from his firm. Although Richard Meier issued an apology in response to these claims, the firm was heavily impacted by the sexual harassment and assault accusations; several clients, especially the from the United States, stopped issuing commissions to Richard Meier & Partners.
“I am deeply troubled and embarrassed by the accounts of several women who were offended by my words and actions…. While our recollections may differ, I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my behavior.” Said Richard Meier.
Major changes are happening in the firm upon the rebranding campaign – majorly in the terms of who will be leading the studio. According to a press release, these changes indicate “an important new phase in the evolution of one of the world’s best-known architecture firms.”
It is said that Richard Meier will still be available for consultations upon request. Dukho Yeon, who has been in the firm for 30 years, is now a lead designer, while George H. Miller is now a chief operating officer. Both Yeon and Miller are now called partners.
“As leaders of Meier Partners, Yeon and Miller will expand on the firm’s rich legacy of more than half a century of visionary design. They remain committed to creating uplifting architecture, distinguished by the features that have long been the hallmark of the practice: an emphasis on lyrical composition, a passion for exquisite materiality, and a reverence for natural light,” stated Meier Partners.
“Each Meier Partners building will continue to engage in an eloquent dialogue with its surroundings, striving for a positive social and environmental impact on the community in which it is built.”
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to help lead this legendary firm. Meier Partners stands for a design ethic that remains as vital as ever, realized today by a diverse, energetic, and extraordinarily talented staff of professionals who are enthusiastic about applying the firm’s deep base of knowledge to forward-looking purposes,” said George Miller.
Moreover, Meier Partners Los Angeles branch is now an independent studio named “STUDIOpractice”, led by Michael Palladino, and Jim Crawford, who has been leading Richard Meier’s Los Angeles office for 25 years. However, Palladino is still collaborating with Meier Partners as a consulting partner.
“Over the last two decades, our Los Angeles studio has designed a broad range of buildings in the United States and overseas. Along with state-of-the-art drawing, modeling, and rendering tools, our team relies heavily on sketches and hand-crafted models to communicate our vision through all phases of the design,” said Michael Palladino.
“The name change to STUDIOpractice represents a way of working and is an acknowledgment of our dedicated team of architects and designers, who have worked together for years with a shared vision for inspiring architecture. We look forward to continuing the relationship with our colleagues in New York through targeted opportunities and collaborations,” added Palladino.
George Miller, Ana Meier, and Dukho Yeon (from left) are leading the firm. Photo © Guillermo Murcia
Furtherly, Richard Meier’s daughter and furniture designer Ana Meier will continue as an advisor to Meier Partners and will collaborate with Dukho Yeon to launch a new research initiative.
Meier & Partners recently completed several projects: 685 First Avenue and 1 Waterline Square in New York City, and a corporate headquarters tower in Seoul. The firm succeeded in creating innovative buildings that introduce brand new experiences of architecture.
