Annabelle Selldorf
Born 1960 · Age 65
German-born architect; founding principal of Selldorf Architects (New York). Noted for museum and gallery design; Fellow of the AIA; recipient of multiple awards; principal designer on high-profile cultural and civic projects worldwide.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Cologne, Germany
Annabelle Selldorf was born in Cologne, West Germany.
Family house purchase influenced design sensibility
At about age 12 her father purchased a house in Cologne and made small refinements to lighting, furniture and color — formative to her approach to subtle interventions.
Moved to New York City
Relocated from Germany to New York City (decisive move toward architectural education and career).
Estimated: Bachelor of Architecture, Pratt Institute (approx.)
Received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute in New York (year estimated based on move in 1980).
Early professional experience with Richard Gluckman (brief)
Worked briefly for architect Richard Gluckman after completing undergraduate studies (date estimated).
Estimated: Master of Architecture, Syracuse University (Florence)
Earned a Master of Architecture degree from Syracuse University while studying in Florence, Italy (year estimated).
Founded Selldorf Architects
Established her independent architecture practice, Selldorf Architects, in New York City.
Featured in Architectural Digest AD100 (year listed among early inclusions)
Selldorf/office included among Architectural Digest AD100 lists in early 2000s (AD listed years include 2000 and 2002).
Architectural Digest AD100 inclusion (2002)
Selldorf Architects appears on Architectural Digest's AD100 list (one of multiple years listed).
Founded Vica (furniture/objects line)
Founded Vica, a company to sell her collection of interior furnishings, lighting and accessories (named after her grandmother's 1930s design firm).
Julie Hausch-Fen joined Selldorf Architects
Julie Hausch-Fen joined the firm (has been with the firm since 2004; later Partner).
Architectural Digest AD100 inclusion (2007)
Selldorf Architects included on AD100 list in 2007.
Published 'Selldorf Architects' (Monacelli Press)
Monograph 'Selldorf Architects' published (Monacelli Press, 1st ed.).
Lisa Green joined Selldorf Architects as Partner
Lisa Green joined Selldorf Architects as a Partner, bringing museum and institutional experience (joined 2010).
Public Design Commission Award for Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg honored Selldorf Architects with a Public Design Commission Award for the Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility design.
Firm expands internationally (presence on four continents noted)
Selldorf Architects reported as operating/projects across four continents (company growth milestone — date of statement around 2010s).
Oliver Link joined Selldorf Architects
Oliver Link joined the firm (later became Partner and led major cultural projects).
Kevin Keating joined Selldorf Architects
Kevin Keating joined the firm (later Partner) and provided leadership in operations and public-sector projects.
Firm profile (growing cultural portfolio) noted in press
By 2011–2015 major press profiles highlighted Selldorf's emergence as a go-to architect for galleries, museums and collectors (Wall Street Journal, AD, New Yorker praise).
Hauser & Wirth 18th Street gallery renovation completed
Converted the Roxy roller rink/nightclub into Hauser & Wirth's expansive Chelsea gallery (approx. 24,700 sq ft space renovated).
Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility opened (December)
The Sims Municipal Recycling / City of New York facility opened on the 29th Street Pier; 11-acre processing center for commingled residential recyclables.
Designed David Zwirner 20th Street gallery (completed)
Designed the seven-story, 30,000 sq ft David Zwirner gallery in Chelsea (2013); it became the first LEED-certified commercial gallery in the U.S.
Award in Architecture — American Academy of Arts and Letters (recorded recognition)
Selldorf is listed as receiving the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Architecture (listed among recognitions with year 2014).
Award in Architecture — American Academy of Arts and Letters
Selldorf received the Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (listed on biography as a recognition).
New York City Public Design Commission Award for Sunset Park (reconfirmation)
The New York City Public Design Commission previously recognized the Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility (2010 award); the project continued to receive accolades through the mid-2010s.
Steinway & Sons signed lease for new Midtown space (1133 Avenue of the Americas)
Steinway & Sons signed a 15-year lease (2014) and Selldorf designed the new multifunctional showroom and recital spaces.
Built By Women selection for Sunset Park MRF
Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility was selected as a Built By Women NYC winning site (Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation program).
AIA New York Chapter: Medal of Honor (awarded in 2016 but listed among recognitions around this period)
Selldorf later received AIANY Medal of Honor (2016). This entry documents the period during which recognition from AIA chapters and peers increased. (See 2016 entry for award year.)
AIA New York State Merit Award: David Zwirner (2015 listing)
David Zwirner Gallery received merit recognition from AIA New York State (multiple AIA recognitions across 2014–2016).
AD100 inclusion (2010, 2011, 2013, 2017–2020 listed across career) — 2015-related recognition
Selldorf Architects appears repeatedly on Architectural Digest's AD100 lists (multiple years across the 2000s and 2010s). (This event notes continuing AD recognition during the 2010s.)
New York City's first commercial wind turbine unveiled at Sunset Park (Jan 14)
Sims Municipal Recycling unveiled a commercial wind turbine at the Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility to lower operational costs and carbon footprint.
Lucy G. Moses Award (1000 Dean Street and Berg'n)
Received Lucy G. Moses Award for preservation projects (listed among 2015 recognitions).
Waterfront Center's Excellence on the Waterfront (Sunset Park MRF)
The Waterfront Center recognized the Sims Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility for Excellence on the Waterfront (2016 listing of awards references the 2016 honor; recognition period spans 2015–2016).
American Institute of Architects New York Chapter Medal of Honor
Annabelle Selldorf received the AIANY Medal of Honor in recognition of her body of work.
Selldorf Architects: 'Portfolio and Projects' (Phaidon) published
Phaidon Press published 'Selldorf Architects: Portfolio and Projects' (with photographs by Todd Eberle).
Steinway New York showroom opened (Selldorf design) / Spencer Finch installation
Selldorf-designed Steinway showroom included a major staircase installation by Spencer Finch; space functions as showroom, recital hall, recording studio and rehearsal space.
AIA Honor Award: David Zwirner Gallery
David Zwirner Gallery (designed by Selldorf Architects) received an AIA New York Chapter Honor Award.
AIA New England Merit Award: Clark Art Institute Museum Building
Selldorf Architects' project related to the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute received AIA New England Merit recognition in 2016.
10 Bond Street completed (residential building)
10 Bond Street, a seven-story residential building in NoHo, was completed in 2016 featuring prefabricated terracotta exterior and 11 units.
Gigi Hadid purchased unit at 10 Bond Street
Supermodel Gigi Hadid bought the last available unit — a two-bedroom — in 10 Bond Street for $3.971 million (2016 reporting).
Selected to design expansion/renovation for The Frick Collection
The Frick Collection named Selldorf Architects to lead a sensitive renovation and expansion of the museum.
AD100 inclusion (2017)
Selldorf Architects listed on Architectural Digest AD100 for 2017.
347 Bowery project public profile
Selldorf Architects' 347 Bowery (13-story residential tower) was widely profiled (coverage 2017); design maximizes a small Bowery lot.
Lawrence Israel Prize (FIT)
Awarded the Lawrence Israel Prize by the Interior Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Member: American Academy of Arts and Letters / National Academy Academician
Listed as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and an Academician of the National Academy Museum and School (recognition/roles recorded in bios).
John Hay Library renovation reopening (Brown University project credited to firm)
Renovated John Hay Library reopened (Selldorf Architects credited among project contributors).
Selldorf listed as a Museum & Cultural design leader in profiles/interviews
Multiple profiles (Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Bloomberg, Foyer interviews) highlighted the firm's leading role in museum/gallery design by 2018–2023.
Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) Honoree
Annabelle Selldorf was honored by the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD Ball Honoree 2018).
AIA NY State Merit Award: LUMA Arles
Selldorf Architects received a Merit Award from AIA New York State for LUMA Arles (2019).
AIA NY State Citation Award: 10 Bond Street
10 Bond Street received AIA New York State Chapter recognition (citation award listed among 2019 design awards).
Rubell Museum (Miami) opened — Selldorf-designed
The Annabelle Selldorf-designed Rubell Museum opened in Miami's emerging art district (coverage dated Dec 12, 2019).
Public Design Commission Award: DEP Gowanus CSO Facility (2019)
New York City Public Design Commission recognized DEP Gowanus CSO Facility for excellence in design (Selldorf Architects involvement).
New York City Public Design Commission: Award for Excellence in Design (DEP Gowanus CSO Facility)
Public Design Commission recognized the Gowanus CSO Facility project for excellence in design (2019).
AD100 inclusion (2020)
Selldorf Architects again included in Architectural Digest's AD100 (2020 list).
Oliver Link promoted to Partner
Oliver Link, who joined in 2011, was made Partner in 2020 and continued to lead major cultural projects (e.g., Musée Yves Saint Laurent renovation).
Selected to lead major renovation project for the National Gallery, London
Selldorf was announced as the winner from an international shortlist to lead a major building project at London's National Gallery (Sainsbury Wing foyer upgrade, research centre, outdoor improvements).
Firm reported as 70-person studio (Foyer interview, Oct 17, 2023)
Foyer profile (Oct 17, 2023) describes Selldorf Architects as a globally celebrated 70-person New York-based firm.
Named to TIME 100 Most Influential People & Honorary Doctorate from Pratt
In 2025 Selldorf was named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People and received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute (firm biography notes both honors).
Key Achievement Ages
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