David Rockwell: 2023 Interior Design Hall of Fame Icon

“Chopin’s Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major,” David Rockwell replies when asked what he’s working on next. He is fresh off a private recital of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, accompanied by a full orchestra (as well as notable guests Robert DeNiro, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jane Krakowski). The architect returned to classical piano lessons in 2016, picking up where he left off in childhood. In fact, at the Rockwell Group headquarters in New York, a former print room now serves as one of his practice studios. Just as Gershwin’s rhapsody has come to define the Jazz Age, the name David Rockwell has become virtually synonymous with the epitome of modern-day hospitality design. But his oeuvre extends far beyond restaurants and hotels.

“He manages to see the beauty in our diversity, using food, fabric, music, art, and design as his canvas to unite us all,” says restaurateur and Food Network personality Melba Wilson. She first worked with Rockwell 30 years ago on a proposed refresh of Minton’s Playhouse jazz club. More recently, as president of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, Wilson partnered with Rockwell Group on DineOut NYC, a 2020 initiative that developed a prototype of outdoor dining to keep restaurants throughout the boroughs—including her Melba’s in Harlem—in business during the early months of the pandemic. It’s one of the latest in a series of pro-bono projects instigated by Rockwell. Others include Stoop NYC, designing the annual Citymeals on Wheels fundraising event, and serving as the chairman of DIFFA for more than two decades.

“David is the opposite of the designer who is locked in a kind of hermetic, self-referential world,” states architecture critic Paul Goldberger, who has followed Rockwell from the beginning. “He’s interested in architecture as it relates to the human experience.” Rockwell applies that human-centered approach to the design process itself, engaging consultants with critical questions and inviting them to be a part of the conversation.

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He is known for bringing in unexpected creative collaborators—choreographers, for example. A culture of collaboration is also in effect every day at all three studios. “It’s the thing I appreciate most,” says Rockwell Group partner Shawn Sullivan, who has been with the firm 26 years. Partner Greg Keffer agrees: “It’s led to our cross-disciplinary approach—and to a plurality of personalities and talents experimenting.” Keffer is the partner in charge of the Spain office, led day-to-day by principal Eva Longoria, a Madrid native who interned at RG New York as a student. “We’re constantly trying to break the boundary to do something even more special,” says Longoria, who adds that her studio is 80 percent female architects and designers—the same majority as RG’s executive team.

Their most recent collaboration is the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, which opened in Washington in October. It’s RG’s first higher-education project. “We brought fresh eyes to creating opportunities for connectivity and spontaneous encounters,” the architect notes. Many firms lean into a practice area where they’ve found success. But Rockwell makes a point of exploring new territory, possibly a function of his trademark curiosity. Adds Bloomberg: “David has a rare combination of imaginative creativity, technical brilliance, and deep civic-mindedness.”

Watch the Hall of Fame Documentary Featuring David Rockwell

Explore Hospitality Designs by David Rockwell

A Glimpse at Showstopping Set Designs

Higher Education, Transportation, and More Institutional Designs by Rockwell Group

A Closer Look at Works by 2023 Interior Design Hall of Fame Icon, David Rockwell

DIFFA Kicks Off Three-Day Design Extravaganza With a Chef’s Tasting Gala in Manhattan   

After a two-year hiatus, the design community dressed in their best and came together last night for the Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids by Design Gala in Midtown Manhattan. Guests were treated to a design wonderland comprised of carefully planned installations—each reflects a different pillar of DIFFA’s mission—while sampling some of the city’s best eats as part of a chef’s tasting extravaganza.

Co-hosted by Interior Design editor in chief and DIFFA chairman of the board, Cindy Allen, and president of Rockwell Group and DIFFA chair emeritus, David Rockwell, the gala marked the start of the organization’s multi-day activation, ongoing through March 26, to raise funds for those affected by HIV/AIDS, homelessness, food scarcity, and mental health issues. “DIFFA’s mission is expanding because the world has changed and we need to listen to what’s happening,” Allen said, stressing the importance of addressing a myriad of challenges that impact vulnerable populations. “We are coming out of the darkest days, and you are all the light.”

A star-studded lineup wowed guests, including actress Jane Krakowski and performances by Broadway stars Amber Iman, cofounder of Broadway Advocacy Coalition, and Bobby Conte, Claybourne Elder, and Manu Narayan from the cast of the Stephen Sondheim revival Company, with musical beats by D.J. Michaelangelo L’Acqua. Iman even energized the crowd with her own rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Want to Dance With Somebody,” encouraging everyone to sing and dance along. But for much of the evening, the immersive design installations took center stage.  

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Winding around the 30,000-square-foot space, 21 installations still on view offer a powerful commentary on the impact of HIV/AIDS, homelessness, food scarcity, and mental health. From a quilted red tent by Dan Mazzarini of BHDM Design symbolizing the patchwork of textiles that lined the national mall in 1987 to honor lives lost to HIV/AIDS to a celestial lounge by LAB at Rockwell Group, the curated spaces invite guests to pause, connect with each other, and reflect. Mirrors feature prominently throughout many installations, enabling guests to view their reflections—and that of those around them—from multiple vantage points, emphasizing the power of looking inward and seeing more than first meets the eye. Rich hues serve as yet another unifying thread: Material Bank and Slade Architecture collaborated on a colorful room made from Material Bank shipment boxes spotlighting strength, diversity, and inclusivity. Several spaces also encourage participation, such as “Hope Is” by HDR with Giles Miller Studio, where pens cascade from above, coaxing visitors to offer uplifting messages on an installation wall. And hope remains a cornerstone of DIFFA’s mission, which has raised more than $50 million in funding since its inception.

Offering gratitude to Allen and Rockwell, Dawn Roberson, executive director of DIFFA, touched on the organization’s past and the essential work it continues to do for vulnerable communities. “DIFFA by Design has come at a critical moment in DIFFA’s history. We’ve recently expanded our mission to serve those affected by homelessness, food scarcity, and mental health issues in addition to HIV/AIDS,” she said. “The design industry has shown us an incredible amount of support this year.” Rockwell expanded on Roberson’s words, encouraging guests to view the installation detailing DIFFA’s work over the years as a walkable timeline.

With the celebration well underway, Rockwell spotlighted one more achievement—Allen’s 20 year anniversary as editor in chief of Interior Design. “Cindy’s generosity makes us realize why we love design and each other,” he said, turning the stage over to SANDOW Design Group CEO, Erica Holborn, who raised a glass for a champagne toast to Allen. “So many designers have shared how much they credit Cindy for elevating the importance of the design profession and creating a level of community that didn’t exist before her time as editor,” she shared. “Cindy believes in the strength of togetherness. She is a nurturer who leads with positivity and goodness to create a sort of magic in all that she does.”

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The party continues with DIFFA Nights tonight and tomorrow, which features a cocktail and dance party with music by D.J. Royce Epstein. DIFFA by Design also will be open daily Friday and Saturday, enabling visitors to view the installations and explore curated pop-up shops.

Rockwell Group Earns a Best of Year Award for the Moynihan Train Hall in New York

2021 Best of Year winner for Transportation – Small

The busiest transportation hub in the Western hemisphere, Pennsylvania Station’s current iteration has long been scorned as a poor replacement for the original McKim, Mead, and White building that was considered a beaux arts masterpiece. An ongoing expansion and renovation project hopes to restore it to its former glory beginning with the newly opened Moynihan Train Hall, an annex across the street by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill that relieves congestion by providing access to most of the station’s 21 tracks. Accordingly, Rockwell Group designed a ticketed waiting area for Amtrak and Long Island Railroad customers that brings the glamour back to travel.

Interior Design Hall of Fame member David Rockwell took inspiration from classic train stations, especially the old Penn; after all, the new hall is housed in the landmarked James A. Farley Building, designed by McKim, Mead, and White nearly concurrently. Curved benches and rounded walls are made of solid walnut slats, all of it highlighted by custom vintage-look sconces. That inviting material, along with nickel and bronze, were chosen to bring warmth to the 6,000-square-foot space. In addition to the four bench bays, there are freestanding high-tops served by custom-height barstools. Both are upholstererd in yellow and blue leatherlike, easy-to-clean vinyl, the latter color repeated in a glass installation that’s been laser-etched with graphics reminiscent of the framework of the hall’s roof. On other walls, photographs by Stan Douglas depict historic scenes from the original station.

Rockwell Group: David Rockwell; Richard Chandler; Dionysios Kaltis; Hilli Wuerz; Emir Dogan; Hayden Minick

Interior Design’s Best of Year People Winners

Firm Leaders: Workplace

David Galullo and Sam Farhang

Rapt Studio
Project: MDR Truss, Marina Del Rey, California

Lifetime Achievement: Design

Orlando Diaz-Azcuy

ODADA
Project: Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma, California

Firm Leader: Healthcare

Jenna Knudsen

CO Architects
Project: Arizona State University Health Futures Center, Phoenix

Rising Star: Product Design

Ara Thorose

Ara Thorose
Product: 7M chair

Firm Leaders: Hospitality

Vera Chu and Kuang Ming Chou

Vermilion Zhou Design Group
Project: Green Massage Lujiazui, Shanghai

Design Visionary

David Rockwell

Rockwell Group
Project: Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas

Rising Star: Greater Good

Ryan Swanson

The Urban Conga
Project: Shifting Totems, Cleveland

Leader: Manufacturer

David Weeks

David Weeks Studio
Product: Sarus Mobile

Firm Leader

Nelson Chow

NC Design & Architecture
Project: Timber House, Hong Kong

Product Design Visionary

Phillipe Starck

Starck Studio
Product: Forest Club, Andreu World

Rising Star: Designer

Boris Lvovsky

DA Bureau
Project: Bio My Bio, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Interior Designer: Hospitality

Idmen Liu

Matrix Design
Project: Pearl River Enterprises Praise of Time, Guangzhou, China

Interior Designer: Workplace

John Mulling

Gensler
Project: Hudson River Trading, New York

Interior Designer

Pallavi Dean

Roar
Project: Early Childhood Authority, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Architects

Tryggvi Thorsteinsson and Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdottir

Minarc
Project:  Mildred House, Los Angeles

Designer: Graphics/Branding

Giona Maiarelli

Maiarelli Studio
Project: NeoCon collateral, Chicago