Morphosis
Morphosis is an architecture firm known for challenging conventional design through bold forms, advanced technology, and strong environmental intent. Founded by Thom Mayne, the practice approaches architecture as a response to complex social, cultural, and urban conditions rather than as isolated objects. Its buildings often feature fragmented geometries, layered façades, and dynamic spatial sequences that reflect movement and change. Morphosis integrates engineering, materials research, and digital design to create structures that are both expressive and high-performing. Sustainability is a core principle, with many projects incorporating passive strategies, energy-efficient systems, and climate-responsive design. Across civic, educational, and institutional work, the firm emphasizes architecture’s ability to shape behavior, provoke thought, and engage its surroundings, positioning design as an active force within contemporary society.
ABOUT THE ARCHITECT
PROJECTS:
41 COOPER SQUARE
New York City, NY - United States
ADDRESS:
41 Cooper Square, New York 10008
ACCESS:
Restricted: Active academic building
DISCRIPTION:
41 Cooper Square, designed by Morphosis Architects (Thom Mayne), is a bold, contemporary academic building for The Cooper Union in New York City. The structure features a perforated stainless steel façade that wraps around a glass curtain wall, optimizing daylight and energy performance. A central atrium, carved through the building’s nine floors, encourages natural ventilation and fosters collaboration. The design emphasizes transparency and accessibility, aligning with the institution's progressive ideals. Sculptural, dynamic forms and sustainable systems—including radiant heating, green roofs, and sun shading—position the building as a model of innovative, environmentally responsive architecture within the dense urban context of Manhattan. The building was completed in 2009.
NOTES:
While this is the most notable work by the firm in New York City, there is also the Bloomberg Center, a recent addition to Cornell’s satellite campus on Roosevelt Island.
RI CORNELL BLOOMBERG CENTER
New York City, NY - United States
ADDRESS:
2 W Loop Rd, New York, NY 10044
DISCRIPTION:
The Cornell Tech Bloomberg Center on Roosevelt Island showcases Morphosis Architects’ forward-looking approach to sustainable and expressive design. The building’s angular form and layered façade create a strong visual presence along the East River while responding to the island’s wind, light, and views. Deeply sculpted surfaces, sloped walls, and integrated sunshades are not just aesthetic choices but functional elements that reduce energy use and improve comfort. Inside, open floor plans and transparent boundaries encourage collaboration, reflecting the building’s role as a hub for technology and innovation. The structure was designed to meet rigorous environmental standards, incorporating renewable energy systems and high-performance materials. Overall, the architecture balances bold geometry with environmental responsibility, presenting a model for how contemporary academic buildings can be both striking and sustainable.
ACCESS:
Restricted: Active academic building
NOTES:
One of only two projects by the firm in New York City. This may be the less noteworthy of the two, however it is still a great project and well worth a visit if you are on the island. You are free to walk around the exterior of the building but entry is restricted.
