Famous Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly dies

Rafael Viñoly, an Uruguayan-born architect who designed distinctive and iconic buildings around the world, has died. He was 78 years old.

Viñoly, whose practice is based in New York, died Thursday of an aneurysm in a hospital in the city. His son Román Viñoly reported that his father died suddenly.

“Rafael left a rich legacy of distinctive and timeless works that have manifested themselves in some of the world’s most recognizable and iconic structures, including the Tokyo International Forum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Carrasco Airport in Montevideo and the 20 Fenchurch Street in London”, published his architectural firm on its website.

The London building is nicknamed “Walkie Talkie” because of its distinctive curved shape that resembles a two-way radio.

Viñoly was born in Montevideo on June 1, 1944. Early in his career, he founded Estudio de Arquitectura, which became one of the largest design studios in Latin America.

He moved to New York in 1979 and four years later founded Rafael Viñoly Architects.

Viñoly became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1993 and a Fellow of the Japan Institute of Architects. He was made an International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2006.

He is survived by his wife Diana, his son Roman, his stepsons Nicolás and Lucas and a brother, Daniel.