Billie Tsien and Tod Williams
Photo by Jocelyn Augustino.
Bio
Billie Tsien and Tod Williams are recognized for their contributions to architecture and arts education. Whether public or private, their deliberate and inspired designs have a profound effect on the lives of those who interact with them, and their teaching and spirit of service have inspired young people to pursue their passions.
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien founded Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects in 1986, focusing on work for institutions such as museums, schools, and nonprofits. Projects include Hereford College at the University of Virginia, the American Folk Art Museum in New York, two additions to the Phoenix Art Museum in Arizona, and the David Rubenstein Atrium at New York’s Lincoln Center. Among Williams and Tsien's many awards are the AIA Architecture Firm Award, the American Academy of Arts and Letters Brunner Award, New York City AIA Medal of Honor, the Architectural League Presidents Medal, the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, the Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture, the Municipal Art Society Brendan Gill Prize, and the Chrysler Award for Design Innovation. In 1999, Williams was made a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. In 2007, both architects were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Later that year, Tsien was inducted to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and Williams’ induction followed in 2009. Both Williams and Tsien maintain active teaching careers and lecture worldwide.