Interior architect whose designs include distinct boutiques, showrooms and headquarters for fashion designers to speak at K-State

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Source: Carolyn Thompson, 785-532-5992, carthom@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Diane Potts, 785-532-1090, potts@k-state.edu

Friday, January 26, 2007

INTERIOR ARCHITECT WHOSE DESIGNS INCLUDE DISTINCT BOUTIQUES, SHOWROOMS AND HEADQUARTERS FOR FASHION DESIGNERS TO SPEAK AT K-STATE

MANHATTAN -- An interior architect whose designs showcase the work of fashion designers like Giorgio Armani and Jil Sander will speak at Kansas State University.

Michael Gabellini, the founding partner of noted architecture firm GabelliniSheppard of New York City, will present an Oscar Ekdahl Memorial Lecture for K-State's College of Architecture, Planning, and Design at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, in the Little Theater at the K-State Student Union. The lecture is open to the public.

As an innovator in fashion interiors and brand identity, Gabellini has designed distinct boutiques, showroom facilities, restaurants and corporate headquarters for designers Sander and Armani, as well as Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicole Farhi, Gianfranco Ferre and Bergdorf Goodman, among others. Gabellini's expertise in contemporary art also has earned him commissions by numerous galleries and museums including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, the Marian Goodman Gallery and Grant Selwyn Fine Art.

In designing residential interiors, Gabellini creates individual spatial portraits reflecting the lifestyles and programmatic needs of his clients. Several of his hotel design projects have provided opportunities to work on a spectrum of scales from intimate suites to monumental public areas. Gabellini's respect for and knowledge of architectural history is manifest in the restoration of important architectural landmarks such as the Top of the Rock project at Rockefeller Center, the Fifth Avenue facades of Rockefeller Center, London's Royal Bank of Scotland building and the former AT&T Building known as "Parthenon on Broadway."

Gabellini founded his architectural and interior design firm in 1991. A registered architect in the state of New York and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he earned his bachelor of fine arts and bachelor of architecture degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design. He also studied at the Architectural Association in London and conducted extensive architectural research in Rome.

In addition to his studio work, Gabellini has lectured at numerous academic institutions, and currently teaches design at Parsons School of Design. He has been honored in the Cooper-Hewitt Museum's National Design Awards, Interior Design Magazine's Hall of Fame and the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, among numerous other awards programs.

Prior to founding his own firm, he worked as a senior designer at Kohn Pederson Fox Architects in New York for six years. His experience there included international high-rise projects and corporate interiors throughout North America and Europe such as the Prudential Hilton Center and the Shearson Lehman Plaza Tower in New York. During this period, he also collaborated with designer Jay Smith on a number of residential and fashion-related projects.

Attendance at the lecture can be submitted as continuing education credit by design professionals by contacting Diane Potts at 785-532-1090 or by e-mail to potts@k-state.edu.

Founded 30 years ago as a memorial honoring Topeka architect and K-State alumnus Oscar Ekdahl, the Ekdahl Lectures bring practitioners, teachers, critics, theorists and artists to the K-State campus for interaction with students, faculty and alumni. A concern for issues affecting the quality of the physical environment and the leadership roles played by the speakers characterize the Ekdahl series, which is meant to inform and to challenge, to reinforce and to complement the educational programs of K-State's College of Architecture, Planning and Design.