Richard Meier & Partners alums launch architecture firm

Bernhard Karpf left RMP in July 2019

Bernhard Karpf and Parsa Khalili
Bernhard Karpf and Parsa Khalili

The architect who oversaw Richard Meier & Partners after its founder was accused of misconduct has launched a new firm.

Bernhard Karpf and Parsa Khalili launched Karpf Khalili Architects late last year, according to New York Department of State records. Karpf left Meier’s firm in July 2019, after more than 30 years with the company. He’d taken over day-to-day operations in October 2018, following a New York Times story that detailed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Meier.

Khalili worked for Meier from 2009 to 2013, serving most recently as an associate and director of visualization. He’s also worked for Diller Scofidio + Renfro and is a visiting lecturer at Princeton University.

“Karpf Khalili is a collaboration of two architects with complementary skills and expertise. We are interested in all types of ambitious projects with architectural significance,” Khalili said in an email. “Our story is unique and our collective experience allows us to tackle the challenges of architecture today.”

This week, Karpf and Khalili’s recent proposal for a temporary pavilion on Roosevelt Island was named one of five finalists in the annual City of Dreams Pavilion competition. According to their firm’s website, the Brooklyn-based studio is open to designing all building types and has “deep experience with cultural, commercial, residential, and civic work.”

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

Read more

Others have left Meier’s firm following the scandal. Reynolds Logan — who along with recently promoted principals Vivian Lee and Dukho Yeon ran daily operations with Karpf — left the firm sometime this month. He couldn’t be reached for comment, and representatives for Meier’s firm declined to comment.

Last year, The Real Deal reported that Meier remained a regular presence in the Midtown office, despite multiple reports that he was scaling down his role at the firm. At the time, five of the women who had accused Meier of sexual misconduct told TRD that they felt the firm wasn’t doing enough to address the alleged misdeeds of its founder.

Write to Kathryn Brenzel at kathryn@therealdeal.com