5 Influential Architects Shaping New York in 2026: Signature Projects and Latest News
New York is one of the world's great architectural cities. From its Art Deco skyscrapers and historic brownstones to bold contemporary towers and innovative public spaces, the city's architecture reflects generations of creativity and experimentation.
In 2026, several internationally recognised architects and design studios continue to influence New York's built environment while taking on significant projects around the world.
This guide explores five influential architects associated with New York: Elizabeth Diller, Daniel Libeskind, Bjarke Ingels, Annabelle Selldorf, and Steven Holl. Discover their signature projects, latest developments, design philosophies, and official studio websites.
1. Elizabeth Diller
Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R)
At a glance
- Studio: Diller Scofidio + Renfro
- Founded: 1981, New York
- Known for: Transforming infrastructure and public spaces through innovative architecture
- Signature project: The High Line
Elizabeth Diller is a founding partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, an interdisciplinary design studio that combines architecture, visual art, technology, and performance.
She co-founded the practice with Ricardo Scofidio in 1981. Ricardo Scofidio passed away on March 6, 2025. The studio continues under its wider partnership, including Charles Renfro and Benjamin Gilmartin.
Signature projects
- The High Line, New York: An abandoned elevated railway transformed into an internationally recognised public park.
- The Shed, Hudson Yards: A cultural centre featuring a movable outer shell.
- Lincoln Center, New York: A major renewal of the cultural campus and its public spaces.
- MoMA Expansion, New York: An expansion completed in 2019 that improved gallery spaces and circulation.
Latest in 2026
- Architect of RECORD: Elizabeth Diller received Architectural Record's 2026 Architect of RECORD recognition, with the award ceremony held on November 4.
- MIT Metropolitan Warehouse: DS+R transformed a historic storage building in Cambridge, Massachusetts, into the new home of MIT's School of Architecture and Planning. The building opened in August 2026.
- New York Botanical Garden: DS+R was selected to design a new café and living biofiltration system for the Bronx botanical garden.
- Fifth Avenue Apartment: The studio's work on a Manhattan penthouse designed to accommodate a significant private art collection was featured in Architectural Record's 2026 coverage.
Why it matters: Diller's work demonstrates how architecture can go beyond conventional buildings. Her projects create opportunities for public interaction, cultural experiences, and new ways of engaging with urban environments.
Portfolio: https://dsrny.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsrny/
2. Daniel Libeskind
Studio Libeskind
At a glance
- Studio: Studio Libeskind
- Founded: 1989, Berlin
- New York headquarters: Since 2003
- Known for: Expressive geometry, symbolism, and architecture shaped by memory
- Signature project: World Trade Center master plan
Daniel Libeskind is an internationally recognised architect known for his distinctive angular forms and emotionally expressive buildings.
Born in Łódź, Poland, in 1946, he founded Studio Libeskind in Berlin. His selection as the master planner for the World Trade Center redevelopment brought the studio's headquarters to New York.
Signature projects
- World Trade Center master plan, New York: The Memory Foundations concept for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site.
- Jewish Museum Berlin: A striking zigzag-shaped building exploring history and memory.
- Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto: The crystalline Michael Lee-Chin Crystal extension.
- Military History Museum, Dresden: A dramatic intervention into a historic museum building.
Latest in 2026
- Praemium Imperiale: Daniel Libeskind was announced as the 2026 Praemium Imperiale laureate for architecture on September 8.
- Brooklyn Housing: The Atrium at Sumner, designed for NYCHA's Sumner Houses campus, includes 190 affordable senior apartments. The project remains listed as under construction.
- Seoul Residential Development: Studio Libeskind unveiled designs for six residential towers, reaching up to 49 storeys, as part of the Daechi Ssangyong 1 redevelopment in South Korea.
- Antwerp Cultural Transformation: The studio's design for the Boerentoren proposes transforming the historic Art Deco tower into a cultural destination. The project remains in development.
Why it matters: Libeskind's architecture explores the relationship between history, identity, memory, and modern urban life. His designs show how buildings can communicate powerful ideas through form and space.
Portfolio: https://libeskind.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellibeskind/
3. Bjarke Ingels
BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group
At a glance
- Studio: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
- Founded: 2005, Copenhagen
- New York studio: Brooklyn, established in 2010
- Known for: Playful geometry and hedonistic sustainability
- Signature project: VIA 57 West
Bjarke Ingels is a Danish architect and founder of BIG, a global architecture practice known for combining innovative forms with practical and environmentally conscious design.
His architectural philosophy, often described as "hedonistic sustainability," explores how environmentally responsible buildings can also be enjoyable, attractive, and functional.
Signature projects
- VIA 57 West, New York: A distinctive pyramid-like residential building overlooking the Hudson River.
- The Spiral, New York: A supertall office tower featuring landscaped terraces.
- One High Line, New York: Two sculptural residential towers with distinctive twisting forms.
- CopenHill, Copenhagen: A waste-to-energy facility featuring a recreational rooftop ski slope.
Latest in 2026
- AIA New York Firm of the Year: BIG received the 2026 Firm of the Year recognition at the Center for Architecture's Common Bond event.
- TIME Trailblazers: Bjarke Ingels was named to TIME's 2026 Trailblazers list, recognising innovators shaping the future.
- VIA 57 West Recognition: The building received a 2026 Council on Vertical Urbanism 10 Year Award of Excellence.
- 175 Third Street, Brooklyn: New York City approved plans for BIG and dencityworks' 27-storey mixed-use development in Gowanus, including more than 1,000 apartments and a public park.
- East Side Coastal Resiliency: The large-scale Manhattan waterfront protection project associated with BIG's design work continues through phased construction.
Why it matters: BIG challenges the idea that sustainability and architectural creativity must be separate. Its projects demonstrate how innovative design can support greener cities and more engaging urban environments.
Portfolio: https://big.dk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big_builds/
4. Annabelle Selldorf
Selldorf Architects
At a glance
- Studio: Selldorf Architects
- Founded: 1988, New York
- Known for: Refined architecture, cultural institutions, and museum design
- Signature project: The Frick Collection renovation
Annabelle Selldorf is a German-born architect whose New York-based practice is internationally recognised for its thoughtful approach to museums, galleries, cultural buildings, and residential projects.
Her architectural philosophy centres on simplicity, proportion, natural light, and the relationship between people and the spaces they experience.
Signature projects
- The Frick Collection, New York: A major renovation and expansion of the historic museum.
- National Gallery, London: Renovation work involving the Sainsbury Wing.
- Hauser & Wirth and David Zwirner Galleries: Gallery spaces designed to create elegant environments for contemporary art.
- Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility, Brooklyn: A recycling facility combining industrial infrastructure with educational and public-facing elements.
Latest in 2026
- Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance: Selldorf Architects, working with STUDIOS Architecture Paris and BASE Paysagiste, won the international competition for the Louvre's major transformation project in May.
- Clark Art Institute: The studio unveiled its design for the new Aso O. Tavitian Wing in Massachusetts in July. The project will expand the museum's gallery and collection spaces.
- Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris: The studio is also involved in the renovation of this important cultural institution.
Why it matters: Selldorf demonstrates that architecture does not need dramatic shapes to make a lasting impression. Her work highlights how light, materials, and carefully considered proportions can transform cultural experiences.
Portfolio: https://www.selldorf.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selldorfarchitects/
5. Steven Holl
Steven Holl Architects
At a glance
- Studio: Steven Holl Architects
- Founded: 1977, New York
- Offices: New York, Hudson Valley, and Beijing
- Known for: Architecture shaped by light, space, and material
- Signature project: Hunters Point Library, Queens
Steven Holl is an internationally respected American architect whose work explores the relationship between architecture, natural light, materials, and human experience.
His buildings are often recognised for their sculptural forms and carefully considered interior environments.
Signature projects
- Hunters Point Library, Queens: A sculptural concrete public library offering views across the East River.
- Linked Hybrid, Beijing: A residential development connected through elevated bridges.
- Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, Houston: A museum building distinguished by its glass-tube façade.
- Kiasma, Helsinki: A contemporary art museum known for its expressive spatial design.
Latest in 2026
- Architizer Ranking: On November 3, Steven Holl Architects announced that the practice had been ranked number one in Architizer's Best Architecture and Design Firms in New York list.
- Kanter Tritsch Medal: Steven Holl was selected to receive the 2026 Kanter Tritsch Medal in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design. The presentation is scheduled for November 10.
- University of Chicago: The studio was selected to lead the renewal of historic Ida Noyes Hall, supported by a $50 million gift.
- UPenn Student Performing Arts Center: Terracotta installation was underway in September 2026, with project completion targeted for the end of the year and the university opening planned for spring 2027.
- Vertical Branching House: The project reached its topping-out milestone in September 2026.
Why it matters: Holl's work demonstrates how architecture can be both functional and poetic. His thoughtful use of daylight, materials, and spatial sequences creates buildings that offer memorable experiences.
Portfolio: https://www.stevenholl.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenhollarchitects/
What These Five Architects Have in Common
Although their architectural styles differ, these five influential architects share several important principles.
1. People-centred design
Their projects consider how people interact with buildings and public spaces, placing human experience at the centre of architectural decisions.
2. Respect for place and context
Whether designing a museum, residential tower, or public park, each practice considers the surrounding environment, history, and cultural identity.
3. Innovation and experimentation
From movable structures and expressive geometric forms to sustainable infrastructure and carefully designed museums, their work challenges conventional architectural thinking.
4. A lasting impact on cities
Their projects demonstrate how architecture can contribute to cultural identity, urban development, environmental responsibility, and public life.
Final Thoughts
New York's architectural identity is shaped by architects who are willing to challenge traditional ideas and rethink how people experience the built environment.
Elizabeth Diller transforms public spaces, Daniel Libeskind explores memory through geometry, Bjarke Ingels combines sustainability with creativity, Annabelle Selldorf brings refinement to cultural architecture, and Steven Holl creates meaningful experiences through light and space.
For architecture students, design professionals, travellers, and enthusiasts, exploring their work offers a valuable introduction to contemporary architecture.
Visit the High Line, experience the World Trade Center memorial, explore the Frick Collection, admire VIA 57 West, and discover Hunters Point Library. Each project reveals a different perspective on how architecture can shape the way we live, work, and experience cities.
The future of architecture is not just about designing buildings. It is about creating places that inspire people and transform communities.