David Rockwell
American architect and designer David Rockwell is founder and president of Rockwell Group.
Chicago-born Rockwell studied at the Syracuse University and Architectural Association in London before founding his architecture firm Rockwell Group in New York in 1984. The studio now also has offices in Madrid. Rockwell draws inspiration from growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, for his use of colour and theatricality.
The practice has designed hospitality and luxury residential projects, as well as set designs, exhibitions and festivals. Rockwell Group’s recent interior design project at 15 Hudson Yards in Manhattan, in collaboration with architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, is one of several redevelopments planned for the city. The collaborating practices have also designed expandable cultural venue The Shed, with a moving roof allowing the venue to double in size. Rockwell has designed lighting with Rich Brilliant Willing, and furniture for Chinese brand Stellar Works, debuted in 2016 during ICFF and Milan Design Week.
Rockwell was awarded the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in 2008 and the AIA New York Chapter President’s Award in 2015. In 2010, he was awarded an Emmy for his Broadway musical set designs and a Tony Award in 2016 for his backdrop for the musical She Loves Me.
A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Rockwell currently acts as chair emeritus of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) and is a board member of the New York Restoration Project.
