First Friday: KPF

Join the global design firm at their newly expanded offices overlooking Bryant Park.

November 1, 2024
6:00 p.m.

KPF | Zayed International Airport, Terminal A, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2023. Image credit: Victor Romero

The League’s First Friday events are informal social gatherings that allow members to visit the offices of leading design practices and see work on the boards.

Architecture practice Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) designs projects of all scales for urban contexts around the world. Founded in 1976 in New York City, KPF has expanded to include over 600 staff members led by 32 principals, with offices in New York, London, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Seoul, Berlin, and Singapore. The firm’s extensive and diverse portfolio includes commercial and residential towers, civic and cultural spaces, and education, research, and healthcare facilities. In their own words, KPF’s work is “driven by individual design solutions, rather than a predetermined style” and the firm “endeavors to design lasting buildings that mitigate their environmental impact and enhance the well-being of the communities they serve.” 

Completed projects include:

One Vanderbilt The tallest office tower in Midtown Manhattan, One Vanderbilt connects directly to Grand Central Terminal, increasing access to the transit hub, including through a 14,000 square foot pedestrian plaza at the tower’s base.

Zayed International Airport, Terminal A Serving up to 45 million passengers per year and 117 destinations worldwide, the X-shaped terminal is designed to optimize curb-to-gate walking time and reduce transfer connection times to 45 minutes.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) This new campus accommodates more than 10,000 students and faculty and implements sustainability and resiliency measures attuned to the campus’ site in coastal mainland China.

Current and upcoming projects include:

8 Canada Square Located in London’s Canary Wharf, this adaptive reuse project will transform an office tower into a mixed use destination for work, education, and entertainment.

64 University Place This 11-story residential development incorporates gentle step backs and hand-laid brick masonry to respond to the building’s site in Greenwich Village.

Oriente Green Campus This design transforms an abandoned three-story mall in Lisbon, Portugal into an office and academic campus, featuring extensive landscaping and flexible interior design.

Explore