Why It Matters: Billie Tsien in Conversation with Karen R. Lawrence

Architect and educator Billie Tsien joins Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence to discuss how the built environment shapes individual and communal experiences, the interplay between design and purpose, and how architecture can empower future generations.

Tsien is a founding partner of the studio Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners, known for its dedication to institutional and public projects. This October, the firm completed a renovation of David Geffen Hall’s public spaces at Lincoln Center in New York City, and it is currently working on the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, Chicago.

Celebrating The Huntington’s unparalleled opportunities for cross-disciplinary exploration of human culture and history, the Why It Matters series features Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence in conversation with distinguished guests about the enduring relevance of the humanities.

About the Featured Guest

Billie Tsien along with her partner, Tod Williams, founded their New York-based practice 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.  Some of their notable projects include the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, and the Lefrak Center in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.  This October, the firm completed a renovation of David Geffen Hall’s public spaces at Lincoln Center in New York City, and it is currently working on the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, Chicago.

Their dedication to this work has been recognized by numerous citations including the National Medal of Arts from President Obama, the 2013 AIA Architecture Firm Award, and the 2019 Praemium Imperiale presented by the Japan Art Association.  In parallel with her practice, Billie currently teaches at Yale University as the Charles Gwathmey Professor in Practice, and was recently appointed by President Biden to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, serving as the first Asian-American and woman to be Chair.  As both an educator and practitioner, she is deeply committed to making a better world through architecture.