Architecture That Listens – Vanessa Kassabian on Leading Henning Larsen’s New York Studio

Henning Larsen has appointed Vanessa Kassabian as Design Director of its New York studio, marking a significant step in strengthening the firm’s creative leadership across the Americas. Working alongside Americas Director Eric Ball and Design Director Daniel Baumann, Kassabian brings over two decades of international experience to a studio focused on translating Scandinavian design values into the complexity of American cities.

Her appointment reflects a broader ambition—to bridge global design thinking with local urban realities, particularly in a city as dynamic and layered as New York.

A Global Career Rooted in Impact

Kassabian’s professional journey spans some of the most respected design firms in the world. As Principal and Global Design Leader at DLR Group, she led major projects such as Vanderbilt University’s Lab Building and the renovation of the Paley Center for the Arts.

Her earlier roles at MVRDV and Snøhetta contributed to internationally recognised projects including the Calgary Central Library, the SFMOMA Expansion, and the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion.

Across these works, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to navigate complex cultural, technical, and emotional contexts—delivering architecture that connects deeply with communities.

Bringing Scandinavian Design to New York

At Henning Larsen, design is rooted in a human-centered and context-driven philosophy—prioritising natural light, openness, and social interaction. In New York, Kassabian sees this approach evolving to respond to a dense, vertical, and multicultural environment.

Rather than applying a fixed formula, she describes the process as a dialogue—blending Danish design principles with the realities of New York’s zoning, diversity, and urban intensity.

Projects such as the revitalisation of waterfront areas like Gowanus highlight how architecture can reconnect communities with their environment while enhancing everyday life.

Setting the Vision for the New York Studio

As she steps into her new role, Kassabian’s immediate focus is on strengthening the studio’s presence across North America and expanding its work in cultural and adaptive reuse projects.

She emphasises the importance of collaboration, bringing together diverse perspectives to shape a strong and inclusive studio culture.

With experience across international practices, she recognises the value of bridging different design approaches and cultural contexts to create more meaningful outcomes.

Designing for Density and Urban Life

New York’s density presents both challenges and opportunities. Kassabian sees architecture as a tool to soften the city’s intensity—creating spaces that are more livable, connected, and human-centered.

This includes designing streets, public spaces, and buildings that encourage interaction, promote walkability, and introduce moments of calm within the urban fabric.

Integrating nature into the city—through green roofs, public parks, and resilient infrastructure—is also central to this vision, ensuring that even dense environments can remain vibrant and inclusive.

Lessons from Culturally Sensitive Projects

Her experience working on the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion was particularly formative. These projects required balancing emotional sensitivity, cultural significance, and technical complexity.

Through this, she developed a strong belief in empathy as a core element of design—creating spaces that support reflection, healing, and collective memory.

Such experiences continue to inform her approach to high-profile and socially impactful projects.

Sustainability and Material Innovation

Sustainability remains a central focus in Kassabian’s work. Through projects like KlimaKover and Farm to Home, the studio is exploring new approaches to material use, energy efficiency, and ecosystem integration.

Material experimentation—such as low-carbon construction methods and innovative building systems—plays a key role in developing resilient and future-ready architecture.

These ideas are informed by global projects, from timber-based designs in Europe to flexible learning environments in Australia, creating a continuous exchange between international and local practices.

Addressing Climate and Social Challenges

Kassabian identifies climate change and social inequality as the most pressing challenges facing cities today. With buildings contributing significantly to carbon emissions, strategies such as retrofitting, decarbonisation, and climate resilience are essential.

Equally important is addressing the need for affordable housing and inclusive public spaces—ensuring that cities remain accessible and equitable for all.

Community engagement and co-creation are central to this approach, allowing design solutions to reflect the needs and identities of the people they serve.

Fostering Talent and Collaboration

Within the studio, Kassabian aims to create a culture of openness, mentorship, and shared learning. She believes that strong leadership involves both guiding teams and creating opportunities for emerging designers to contribute fresh ideas.

Initiatives such as research labs, workshops, and cross-studio collaboration help support innovation while strengthening connections across the global practice.

A Collaborative and Inclusive Future

Drawing from her experience at firms like Snøhetta and MVRDV, Kassabian brings a research-driven and interdisciplinary approach to design—integrating architecture, urbanism, landscape, and sustainability.

At Henning Larsen, she values a culture where ideas are openly discussed, tested, and refined collectively, ensuring that design outcomes are thoughtful, inclusive, and contextually relevant.

Looking Ahead

For Kassabian, the future of architecture lies in creating spaces that prioritise well-being, sustainability, and civic engagement. By building strong relationships with clients and communities, she aims to deliver projects that are not only functional but also meaningful and lasting.

Her leadership marks a new chapter for Henning Larsen’s New York studio—one defined by collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping better urban environments.