Thomas Phifer, born in 1953 in South Carolina, is an American architect based in New York City and the founder of Thomas Phifer and Partners, an architecture firm established in 1997.
Phifer’s work is recognized for its unique design approach, with notable projects including the Glenstone Museum expansion in Potomac, Maryland, the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Corning Museum of Glass Contemporary Art + Design expansion, and the Brochstein Pavilion at Rice University in Houston, Texas. He is also known for his design of the new Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, which is currently under construction.
Phifer has received numerous awards for his work, including a National Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects and the “Best in Competition” Award from the New York Chapter of the AIA. He was elected as a lifetime member to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2022.
Phifer has also served as a visiting professor at numerous architecture schools, including the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Cooper Union, University of Southern California, University of Texas, University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. However, like any professional, his work and contributions are subject to critique and discussion within the architectural community.
