New Design Director in New York

We are welcoming Vanessa Kassabian to lead the design vision of our New York studio alongside Design Director, Daniel Baumann.
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Design Director
Vanessa joins us with more than 20 years of experience, most recently as Principal and Global Design Leader at DLR Group. Her previous experience also includes leadership roles at MVRDV and Snøhetta in New York.
In her new role, Vanessa will lead the design vision of our New York studio, alongside Design Director, Daniel Baumann, cultivating our client relationships, mentoring emerging design talent, and advancing innovative solutions.
“Vanessa brings a thoughtful design perspective that aligns strongly with our values and ambitions. I look forward to working closely with her as we continue to build a studio culture rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and a clear commitment to design excellence.” says Eric Ball, Director, Americas, Henning Larsen.
Vanessa brings a wealth of experience to the studio. She holds a Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Architecture from Tulane University, and is a registered architect in New York, Florida, and Texas, as well as a LEED Accredited Professional. She has worked at several internationally recognized studios, gaining experience in bringing the Scandinavian design ethos to projects across the Americas. Beyond her practice, Vanessa is a passionate educator and mentor, having taught at Parsons The New School and served as a guest critic at Cornell, Pratt, and the University of Pennsylvania.


“Henning Larsen’s commitment to thoughtful, context-driven design is something I’ve long admired,” says Vanessa Kassabian, Design Director, Henning Larsen. “I’m looking forward to becoming part of the team and helping shape projects that make a meaningful impact across the Americas.”
Located in Tribeca, our New York studio was established in 2018 and is responsible for a range of projects including the Minneapolis Public Service Building, the University of Cincinnati College of Business, and San Francisco’s Mission Rock neighborhood. Ongoing projects include the Downsview Framework plan, Toronto’s Quayside waterfront district, and the Enterprise Research Campus in Boston.
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