Thierry Despont architect and interior designer, New York City buildings, NYC architecture practice, USA office news

Thierry Despont architect and interior designer, New York

August 17, 2023

Thierry W Despont (1948-2023)

Thierry Despont architect and interior designer
photo courtesy of architects office

Thierry Despont News

On behalf of ModusBPCM, it is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden passing of Thierry W Despont (1948-2023) at his home in Southampton NY on Sunday, August 13th, 2023.

Thierry was a brilliant architect, designer and artist whose creative spirit touched many lives in profound ways. His remarkable talents transcended boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the world of art and design. Thierry shaped spaces that captivated the imagination, leaving a lasting impact on cities, landscapes and on anyone who experienced his work.

His designs, whether in architecture or art, resonated with beauty, innovation, and a deep understanding of human emotion “giving shape to his clients dreams”. Some of Thierry’s work included the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, the creation of residences at the Woolworth Building, the makeover of the Ritz Paris and the renovation and expansion of the flagship Cartier store on Fifth Avenue.

The Office of Thierry W Despont will continue under the guidance of his talented and passionate team, who, for the last three decades, have been an integral part of creating and bringing his visions to life. With unwavering commitment, they will ensure that his spirit will continue to be present in every concept, every architectural project, and every design endeavour embarked upon by the team.

As we remember Thierry, we remember him for his warmth, wit and humour and his extraordinary talent to tell stories that captivated us all in the world of his limitless imagination and creativity. He will be greatly missed.

Thierry is survived by his beloved Barbara, Catherine and Louise, as well as Konstantin and Alexander.

Thierry Despont Biography

Artist, architect, designer, and Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, Thierry Despont is known as the creator of masterful dream houses for the international elite and the visionary behind the rebirth of esteemed landmarks such as the Woolworth Building, the Ritz in Paris, the Palm Court at the Plaza, the Cartier Mansion in New York, Casa Cipriani and 53W53 as well as 60 Curzon, The Beaumont Hotel, and the Old War Office in London.

Born in Limoges, France, in 1948, Despont’s signature style blends classicism with modernism to create spaces known for their inimitable balance. After earning degrees from Paris’s École Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts and Harvard University, Despont began his career at Lewellyn-Davies, where he worked for the Shah of Iran on the redesign of Tehran’s city center.

Just four years after opening his eponymous New York design firm in 1980, Despont took charge as Associate Architect for the restoration of one of the world’s most famous landmarks, the Statue of Liberty. Despont’s mastery of working within the constraints of historical structures and respect for historical design has made him the unquestionable leader for the most complex and high stakes landmark restorations in the world – but his fluency with the language of the past has also made him the first choice for those who seek to create new spaces that feel steeped in a sense of timeless balance.

It’s a talent he has applied to creating iconic spaces such as Ralph Lauren’s flagship boutique in London, the decorative arts galleries at the Getty Museum, and the Harry Winston store in Beverly Hills. In the words of Lauren, his unique gift is to “create something that never existed but that everyone will recognize.”

The Office of Thierry Despont has blended architectural and interior design projects over its three-decade history, creating “universes” rather than buildings, where people can be transported as much by small details as grand gestures.

The world’s elite have looked to Despont to create these universes for themselves – from Bill and Melinda Gates’ Seattle mansion, to houses for Calvin Klein, Mickey Drexler, and more.

Despont is also an accomplished painter, sculptor, and curator who maintains an ongoing partnership with the Marlborough Gallery, and whose work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions and publications. Drawing inspiration from astronomy and natural history, he creates fantastic worlds of insects, masks, and creatures that are the inhabitants of imaginary planets.

Most recently Despont has helmed sweeping historic renovations of the Ritz in Paris, The Cartier Mansion on Fifth Avenue and the Woolworth Building in New York, as well as the design of interiors at the ultra-modern New York skyscrapers 53W53 and 220 Central Park South, Casa Cipriani and Fasano Fifth Avenue.

Thierry Despont Designs

Major Thierry Despont Designs – key architectural selection on e-architect below:

45 Park Lane, Mayfair, west London, England, UK
Design: The Office of Thierry W. Despont / Paul Davis + Partners
45 Park Lane Hotel London - Thierry Despont architect and interior designer
photo : Adam Parker
45 Park Lane in Mayfair

53 West 53, New York City, NY, USA
Design: Jean Nouvel
53 West 53 Tower NYC
image © Hayes Davidson
53 West 53 Tower in New York City
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel with interior architecture by Thierry Despont, 53 West 53 features 145 residences ranging in size from one- to four-bedrooms, including full floor homes and duplex penthouses with private elevators.

Jan 8, 2013
The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA
Dates built: 1984-97
Design: Richard Meier & Partners with Robert Irwin; Emmet L. Wemple & Associates; Thierry W. Despont
The Getty Center Los Angeles museum building
photograph © Scott Frances
Getty Center
A major american building design by New York architect Richard Meier

The Statue of Liberty National Monument Renewal, New York City, NY, USA
Associate architect: structure restoration
The Statue of Liberty monument
photograph : Hausman LLC
Statue of Liberty / Statue of Liberty Museum Building

Location: New York City, NY, USA

New York City Architect Practice Information

Architect office of Thierry Despont architect and interior designer is based in New York City, NY, USA.

New York Architect : NYC Architecture Office Listings

American Architects

Manhattan Architectural Designs

New York Architecture Designs – chronological list

New York City Architecture Designs – architectural selection below:

Brooklyn Bridge Competition Design
Brooklyn Bridge Design by DXA studio
image courtesy of architects
Brooklyn Bridge Design by DXA studio

277 Fifth Avenue, NoMad, NYC
Architects: Rafael Viñoly
277 Fifth Avenue Luxury Condos NoMad New York City
rendering : THREE MARKS
277 Fifth Avenue Building

550 Madison
Architects: Snøhetta
550 Madison NYC
photo © Snøhetta and MOARE
550 Madison in New York City

20 Times Square Skyscraper Building, corner of Seventh Avenue & West 47th Street, Manhattan, NYC
Design: PBDW
20 Times Square Skyscraper Building, New York City
image courtesy of architects office
20 Times Square Skyscraper Building

American Architecture

Manhattan Architecture Designs

Architecture Studios

Buildings / photos for the Thierry Despont architect and interior designerManhattan Design Studio page welcome