The Uruguayan architect resident in New York Rafael Vinoly, designer of iconic contemporary skyscrapers such as the Walkie-Talkie Tower at 20 Fenchurch Street in London, he died at the age of 78, his family said. “On behalf of my family, my colleagues and our many partners around the world, I am saddened to announce that my father (…) died unexpectedly yesterday (Thursday) March 2 at the age of 78”, said his son Román.
Acclaimed and sometimes controversial, the architect born in Montevideo in 1944 he left more than 600 works around the world: hotels, concert halls, stadiums and other infrastructure, such as the circular bridge over the Garzón lagoon, in Uruguay. He also stood out for his designs of the Tokyo International Forum, the Cleveland Museum of Art and Carrasco Airport in Montevideo.
The English football club Manchester City, for which he designed the training centre City Football Academypaid tribute to him on Twitter.
Controversy
But some of his projects have been discussed. This is the case of a luxury residential building 426 meters high and 85 floors in Manhattan, at 432 Park Avenue. Its millionaire residents have sued it over noise and vibrations inside the apartments.
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In London, the Walkie-Talkie skyscraper, located in the City, made headlines in 2013 because the sun’s lightning reflection on its concave glass facade had damaged a Jaguar parked below.
Rafael Viñoly “leaves a rich legacy of unique and timeless designs which have been expressed in some of the most recognizable and iconic buildings in the world”, added his son in the note he has published on the Viñoly Arquitects website.