Long before turning his attention to architecture, David Rockwell, FAIA, harbored a fascination with immersive environments. Growing up in the United States and Guadalajara, Mexico, David was a child of the theater, and was often cast in community repertory productions by his mother, a vaudeville dancer and choreographer. He has brought his passion for theater and artistic eye for the color and spectacle of Mexico to his practice.

Through this unique lens, David founded Rockwell Group, a 250-person, cross-disciplinary architecture and design firm, based in New York with satellite offices in Los Angeles and Madrid, that emphasizes invention and thought leadership. Led by David and partners Shawn Sullivan and Greg Keffer, the firm creates extraordinary experiences and built environments across the globe. Merging architecture, theater, craftsmanship, and technology to create unique narratives for each project, the firm’s work includes hospitality, cultural and educational institutions, transportation hubs, luxury residential, set design, products, exhibitions, and festivals.

Current and recent projects include production design for the 93rd Oscars at Los Angeles Union Station; The Perelman, a new arts venue in New York (Restaurant and Lobby Interior Architect); Hopkins Student Center for Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore); Illuminarium Experience, a brand new experiential entertainment concept in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Miami; The Grand Los Angeles; Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle); Smithsonian FUTURES, an exhibition spotlighting the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary; the pro bono OpenStage and DineOut NYC initiatives; Civilian Hotel (New York); Nobu Hotel Barcelona; 1 Hotel Toronto; and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. David Rockwell’s newest book, DRAMA, developed in collaboration with designer Bruce Mau was published by Phaidon in May 2021.

Notable work includes Nobu Hotels and restaurants worldwide; Equinox Hotel (New York); Warner Music Group headquarters (Los Angeles, CA); Moxy Hotels (Times Square, Chelsea, East Village and Miami); the New York EDITION hotel; W Hotels worldwide; Union Square Cafe and Daily Provisions (New York); NeueHouse (New York and Los Angeles); The Shed (Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Lead Architect and Rockwell Group, Collaborating Architect); TED Theater (Vancouver); the Elinor Bunin-Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center; the restoration of the Hayes Theater (New York); the 2009 and 2010 Oscars; exhibition design for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (Atlanta); set designs for more than 60 productions, both on and off-Broadway, including Kiss Me Kate, She Loves Me, Kinky Boots, and Hairspray.

Honors include a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design for She Loves Me; the 2015 AIANY President’s Award; the 2008 National Design Award from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum for outstanding achievement in Interior Design; the 2009 Pratt Legends Award; the Presidential Design Award; induction into the James Beard Foundation Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America; Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame; inclusion in Architectural Digest’s AD 100; and recognition by Fast Company as one of the most innovative design practices in their annual World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies issue.

Known for his commitment to non-profit and community organizations, David Rockwell serves as the Chair Emeritus of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) and as a board member of Citymeals on Wheels and New York Restoration Project.