Annabelle Selldorf

Annabelle Selldorf is the founding principal of Selldorf Architects, a New York-based architectural practice recognized for its modernist sensibility and humanistic approach to design. Since establishing her firm, Selldorf has led a diverse portfolio of projects, including major cultural institutions such as Neue Galerie New York, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and the LUMA Foundation’s contemporary art center in Arles, France. Her work also includes the expansion of the Frick Collection, the National Gallery in London, and the design of the Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility, the largest recycling facility and education center in the United States.

Selldorf’s architectural philosophy emphasizes understated design, attention to detail, and a commitment to creating spaces that enhance the experience of art and daily life. Her projects are known for their clarity, functionality, and subtlety, establishing her as a preferred architect for museums, galleries, and private collections. Under her leadership, Selldorf Architects has grown into a 70-person firm, sought after for public and private commissions ranging from large-scale new construction to historic renovations.

A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Selldorf has received accolades including the AIA New York Medal of Honor, the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Architecture, and recognition as one of TIME 100 most influential people. She serves on the boards of several cultural organizations and is a frequent lecturer, juror, and educator at institutions such as Harvard and Syracuse University. Selldorf’s career and ability to articulate the value of enduring design contribute to her authority as a public speaker in the field of architecture, museum design, and sustainable building practices.