The architectural world mourns the loss of Ricardo Scofidio, a visionary who redefined the intersection of art and architecture. Scofidio, co-founder of the trailblazing firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), passed away peacefully at age 89, surrounded by his family and lifelong collaborator, Elizabeth Diller.
Scofidio’s groundbreaking career began in 1981 when he and Diller established their New York-based studio. Together, they challenged conventions, merging avant-garde art with architectural innovation. Their iconic Blur Building (2002), a fog-shrouded pavilion for the Swiss National Exposition, epitomized their ethos of creating ephemeral, thought-provoking spaces.
In a heartfelt Instagram statement, DS+R honored Scofidio’s legacy:
“Ric’s relentless pursuit of redefining architectural space has left an indelible mark. His spirit will live on through the work of our studio, which remains committed to his visionary ideals.”
Scofidio’s influence extended beyond buildings—he shaped a generation of architects to question boundaries and embrace interdisciplinary creativity.
The Blur Building (courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro)
(Image credit: press)
The mesmerising, 300ft-wide, 200ft-deep, 75ft-high lightweight tensegrity structure was set like an intangible cloud on the waters of Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland, challenging perceptions of what the very nature of architecture is.
The High Line, New York – see the discussion between Liz Diller and Stefan Sagmeister for Wallpaper*
(Image credit: Iwan Baan)
Charles Renfro joined them as partner in the firm in 2004, and the trio went from strength to strength, completing some of the early 21st century’s most celebrated buildings. Key examples include the New York High Line, The Broad Expansion in San Francisco, The Shed, the MoMA expansion and the 15 Hudson Yards (all in New York).
At the same time, the studio continued to work tirelessly on the intersection of art and building, designing stage and performance sets, installations and exhibitions. In 2014, its conceptual work titled ‘Musings on a Glass Box’, took place in the glass box that happens to be Jean Nouvel’s iconic Fondation Cartier in Paris; the effect was a ‘stirring performance of playfulness and respect,’ wrote our reporter, Amy Verner, at the time.
(Image credit: Photography: Brett Beyer)
Scofidio made an unforgettable mark in the architecture field, and his legacy will live on through his firm and his partners Diller and Renfro. Diller Scofidio + Renfro has announced that a memorial service to celebrate the architect’s life is being planned, with news to follow in the coming weeks.
dsrny.com
📅 Published on: 2025-03-07 06:33:00
🖋️ Author: – An expert in architectural innovation and design trends.
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