FINISSAGE PANEL: CITIES IN TRANSFORMATION: SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
September 17 | 6 PM
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Join us for the finissage of Architecture of Connection and an evening conversation on the future of our cities, moderated by Dr. Stephanie Buhmann. Architect Dietmar Feichtinger and Molly Hare, Director of Interior Design at Rafael Viñoly Architects, will discuss the responsibilities of architecture beyond the boundaries of the building itself: From public space and infrastructure to landscape, climate, and the people who shape and inhabit our cities. Drawing on their respective practices, Feichtinger and Hare will explore how architecture can respond to the interconnected challenges facing the built environment, and how sustainability can be understood not only in terms of environmental performance, but also through architecture’s lasting value for people and place.
Presented at the Austrian Cultural Forum New York, Architecture of Connection surveys Feichtinger’s practice across bridges, transportation infrastructure, and educational, cultural, and civic buildings, revealing architecture as a connective force between people, places, and disciplines. Combining precise engineering with poetic lightness, his work consistently prioritizes accessibility, orientation, and shared public space.
Please find more information about the exhibition here.
Cities in Transformation: Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure – Participants
Molly Hare leads the interior design team at Rafael Viñoly Architects with a comprehensive approach. Deeply rooted in her architectural background, her design philosophy ensures a seamless integration of interior spaces with their exterior and contextual counterparts. From the macro scale of architectural planning to the micro scale of FF&E specifications, she thoughtfully crafts each project into harmonious and cohesive environments. She brings over 11 years of rich and diverse experience in architecture and interior design. With a prior tenure at Kohn Pedersen Fox, her portfolio spans multiple continents and sectors, including the United States, South America, and Asia. This diverse experience has provided her with a unique perspective and a deep understanding of various cultural and contextual nuances in design. Her notable projects include prominent commercial, residential, hospitality, and retail developments. Currently, at Rafael Viñoly Architects, Molly and her team are involved in multiple projects in development, including work in New York, Uruguay, and the Middle East. By working in close collaboration with the architectural team, they ensure each project achieves the most exceptional design outcome. This holistic and collaborative approach is a hallmark of the interior design team’s work, reflecting their commitment to excellence and innovation in every project.
Dietmar Feichtinger – after graduating with honors from the Technical University of Graz in 1988 – moved to Paris in 1989. In 1994, he established Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes, a studio renowed for its diverse architectural portfolio and a methodology that underscores a deep commitment to both, environmental and societal considerations. The studio is widely recognized for its groundbreaking architectural designs, particularly in bridge construction. A defining achievement came in 1998 when they won the competition to design the Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge over the Seine, located directly opposite the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. This stunning 304-meter bridge, featuring a remarkable 190-meter clear span, stands out among Paris’s 37 bridges not only for its technical innovation but also as the only one named in honor of a woman. It was inaugurated by Mayor Bertrand Delanoë on July 13, 2006. In 2002, the firm was commissioned to design the Jetty, a new architectural pathway connecting visitors to Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This 1,841-meter-long structure, unveiled in July 2014, blends seamlessly into the landscape, allowing Mont Saint-Michel to regain its island character during high tides. Although Feichtinger does not consider himself solely a ‘bridge specialist,’ he has designed and overseen the construction of over 20 bridges and footbridges. Notable works include the Three Country Bridge over the Rhine between France and Germany and the Passerelle de la Paix in Lyon. In 2020, his studio completed the Maritime Walkway Aldilonda in Bastia. In addition to his award-winning architectural practice, Feichtinger has taught at several European universities and, in 2023, was appointed Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Design at the Technical University of Vienna. In 2024, he received the Honor Medal for Science, Research and Art, First Class, from the Federal State of Styria. In 2026, he was formally inducted as an Honorary Member of the Académie d’Architecture in France.