18/01/2026
**Instagram Caption for Vanessa Kassabian Interview**
Henning Larsen welcomes Vanessa Kassabian as Design Director of its New York studio, a pivotal appointment that reinforces the internationally acclaimed practice's commitment to design excellence across the Americas. With more than two decades of architectural leadership behind her, Kassabian brings a portfolio that spans some of the most culturally significant projects of our time—including the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion, the Calgary New Central Library, and the SFMOMA Expansion.
In her exclusive conversation with ARCHISCENE, Kassabian opens up about the delicate balance of translating Scandinavian design principles within New York's dense, vertical, and multicultural landscape. She speaks to the importance of human-centric architecture—spaces filled with natural light, openness, and genuine community connection—while acknowledging that the scale and energy of New York demand a thoughtful dialogue between Danish values and American urban realities.
What strikes most about this interview is Kassabian's emphasis on empathy in architecture. Her formative experience working on the 9/11 Memorial taught her that an architect's role extends far beyond building design. It requires facilitating dialogue, honoring collective memory, and creating spaces for personal reflection and community healing. That sensitivity now informs everything she does.
Sustainability runs through her practice like a through-line. With buildings accounting for over 65 percent of New York City's carbon emissions, Kassabian sees energy efficiency, retrofitting, and decarbonization as non-negotiable priorities. Projects like KlimaKover and Farm to Home allow her team to prototype resilient solutions right here in New York—from timber design to ecosystem integration—testing ideas that could scale across the city and beyond.
Equally compelling is her dedication to mentorship and collaboration. As a studio instructor at Parsons The New School and guest critic at Cornell, Pratt, and the University of Pennsylvania, Kassabian has shaped emerging talent for years. She believes leadership should remain accessible, that younger designers bring fresh perspectives especially around new technologies, and that when people feel supported, creative communities thrive.
Her vision for Henning Larsen's New York studio centers on strengthening visibility across North America while expanding focus on cultural and adaptive reuse projects. Working alongside Americas Director Eric Ball and Design Director Daniel Baumann, she aims to nurture a studio culture where diverse perspectives converge and architecture becomes a genuine tool for societal and environmental change.
Head to the link in bio to read the full interview and discover how Kassabian plans to shape the future of urban life in one of the world's most dynamic cities.
Read an interview with our EIC Zarko Davinic now at Archiscene : https://www.archiscene.net/firms/henning-larsen-architects/vanessa-kassabian-henning-larsen/