Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects

New York, NY

Sponsored by Herman Miller

Tod Williams and Billie Tsien founded their New York City based firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners in 1986. Their practice is committed to reflecting the values of non-profit, cultural and academic institutions toward an architecture of enduring vision. A sense of rootedness, light, texture, detail, and most of all, experience, are at the heart of what they design.

Some of their notable projects include the Asia Society Hong Kong, Lefrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park, Brooklyn and the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Their current work includes the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, and the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, Chicago.

Over the past three decades, their dedication to this work has been recognized by numerous national and international citations including the National Medal of the Arts from President Obama, the 2013 Firm of the Year Award from the American Institute of Architects, and the 2019 Praemium Imperiale presented by the Japan Art Association.

In parallel with their practice they are devoted participants in the broader cultural community with longstanding associations with many arts organizations. Tod is currently a trustee of the Cranbrook Educational Community and the American Academy in Rome. Billie is currently the President of the American Academy of Arts in Letters. Both have been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, National Academy of Design, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.

Tod and Billie also maintain active academic careers and lecture worldwide. As educators and practitioners, they are deeply committed to creating a better world through architecture.