Mr. Viñoly, a modernist, was not known for his signature style. But he did have a penchant for enclosing large spaces under glass, creating luminous interiors.
Fred A. Bernstein, The New York Times
After interviewing many top architects, Duke awarded the Nasher Museum commission to Uruguayan-born Rafael Viñoly. When it opened in October 2005, the Nasher Museum was Viñoly’s first completed art museum project in North America. He had earlier designed the new home for Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, the Tokyo International Forum and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. His firm was also chosen for expansion projects at the Cleveland Museum of Art; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.; and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. He also designed new museums for the city of Colchester, England, and the Leicester Theatre Performing Arts Centre in England. Viñoly was a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a recipient of numerous prizes, including the AIA/New York Chapter medal of honor. Viñoly died on March 2, 2023, at the age of 78.
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Aerial view of the Nasher Museum. Photo © Brad Feinknopf 2005.
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Detail of the Nasher Museum's glass-and-steel roof. Photo © Brad Feinknopf 2005.
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Mary and Jim Semans Lecture Carolina Theatre
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Hard-hat tour with (from left) Raymond D. Nasher, Rafael Viñoly, former Duke President Richard H. Brodhead and former Nasher Museum Director Kim Rorschach). Photo by Duke Photography.
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Groundbreaking ceremony (from left: former DUMA Director Michael Mezzatesta, the late Raymond D. Nasher who was the namesake and founding donor of the museum, former Duke President Nanerl O. Keohane, former Duke Executive Vice-president Tallman Trask, Duke Trustee Nancy A. Nasher who is a member of the museum’s Board of Advisors, and Rafael Viñoly. Photo by Duke Photography.
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0754/05 5.09 Nasher Gala honoring Ray Nasher. Reception at the Nasher Museum and dinner at the Washington Duke Inn Friday, September 30, 2005.
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Former Duke President Richard H. Brodhead gives a toast at the opening gala honoring Raymond D. Nasher on September 30, 2005. From left: Andrea Nasher, Raymond D. Nasher, Joanie Nasher, David Haemisegger, Sarah Haemisegger, Mary D.B.T. Semans, Rafael Viñoly and former Nasher Museum Director Kim Rorschach. Photo by Duke Photography.
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Rafael Viñoly enjoys a moment with Mary D.B.T. Semans at the Carolina Theatre in downtown Durham. Photo by Duke Photography.
[Viñoly was] a black-clad wraith with a madcap nimbus of silvery hair [who] could run a charm school in his spare time, if he had any.
Robin Finn, The New York Times
The design dynamically embraces the surrounding landscape, heightening the relationship between the building and its location, and reinforcing the concept of the museum not as an object within the landscape but rather as ‘platonic boxes.’ Positioned in a loose radial pattern near the top of a gentle slope … their placement defines an irregular, pentagonal central courtyard. Covered by a light canopy of glass and steel, this dramatic central area serves as the museum’s lobby and sculpture gallery, and will be a hub for a variety of university and community activities.
Rafael Viñoly, design statement for Nasher Museum building, 2005