The new documentary, Kevin Roche: The Quiet Architect, shown last month at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in New York, naturally brings up the question about the future of the firm, Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates. Roche is 95. What plans for succession are in place at the Hamden, Connecticut, office? It has been functioning since 1966, although partner John Dinkeloo died in 1981 at age 63. Dinkeloo, trained as an architect and engineer, was instrumental in establishing the firm’s reputation for such technical advances as the use of metal deposit mirror glass and of Cor-Ten steel in its buildings. After his death, there were fewer similar innovations, although Roche Dinkeloo continued garnering important commissions for cultural institutions, universities, and office buildings.
Currently another Dinkeloo has emerged at the helm. A recent reorganization of the almost 50-person practice led to John’s son Christiaan’s returning to the firm after almost 20 years to assume the role as principal along with Roche. He supervises design through construction of their projects—the biggest one currently is for two buildings in Capitol Crossing, a mixed-use complex in Washington, D.C., along with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (the master planner) and Kohn Pedersen Fox.
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