On 9/11, images of Brookfield Place were seen around the world. Its gorgeous glass barrel-vaulted roof collapsed, its entrance blocked by a mountain of debris. Recently, Pelli Clarke Pelli reimagined what the building entrance could be, restoring key parts and changing others, to deliver a more innovative, sustainable building at this iconic location. Today we talk with Rafael Pelli, who rehabilitated his father’s initial vision with modern, sustainable swagger. Listen in as we discuss the development of this project as well as the evolution of construction standards, the keys to success as a new hire, and Pelli’s journey into architecture. 

About Rafael: 

Rafael is a partner at Pelli Clarke Pelli, the world-renowned design firm started by his father. He leads the New York City office of Pelli Clarke Pelli, which was established in 2000. While there, he has worked on major high-rise residential buildings, including in Battery Park City in Manhattan, and on teaching and research facilities for major universities, including Princeton and Rice. He was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Association of Architects, an honor reserved for our nation’s greatest architects.

About your host: 

Atif Qadir is the Founder & CEO of REDIST, a technology company making it easy for commercial real estate professionals to find and use the $100B of real estate incentives given out every year in the US.

Resources mentioned: 

• Connect with Rafael on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Pelli Clark Pelli
• Follow Pelli Clark Pelli on Instagram
• DONATE to Urban Green Lab
• Check out Michael Graves Architecture and Design
• Subscribe to the Michael Graves Youtube Channel