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Thomas Heatherwick in June at “Provocations,” an exhibition of his designs at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum / Photo: Emily AndrewsThey didn’t choose a starchitect.
In making the long-awaited decision as to who would reimagine its home, the New York Philharmonic — together with Lincoln Center — has made a surprising choice, selecting the London firm Heatherwick Studio and Diamond Schmitt Architects of Toronto to redesign the interior of David Geffen Hall.
“It seems like a real dream team,” said Jed Bernstein, Lincoln Center’s president, in a telephone interview.
Thomas Heatherwick, 45, is a British designer of sculpture, furniture and architecture who is best known for fanciful, often experimental projects including the British pavilion for Shanghai’s 2010 World Expo; a flaming caldron for the 2012 Olympic Games; and the new hybrid double-decker bus for London. But he has limited experience in major public buildings.
He will essentially be replacing the British heavyweight Norman Foster, the Pritzker-winning architect who a decade ago was commissioned to redesign what was then known as Avery Fisher Hall.
Mr. Heatherwick will be designing the last part of a campus that was recently transformed — to considerable success — by Diller Scofidio & Renfro, a prestigious firm passed over for this commission. […]
