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Jonathan Wimpenny Architect

 

 

 

 

Following his apprenticeship as draughtsman in the stone quarries of

J Wimpenny & Co, Jonathan trained with architect Arthur Quarmby and Paolo Soleri before receiving a scholarship for the Architectural Association in London. First registered as a chartered architect in 1978, his early work focused on restoration with Levitt Bernstein Associates. This interest led him to Rome, then Urbino to work with award-winning architect, Giancarlo De Carlo. Jonathan's academic work continued as assistant professor at the Architectural Association and lecturer at the University of Udine, Italy.

 

Moving to the United States in 1984, he registered as a US architect in 1990 while working with Ove Arup and Beyer, Blinder Belle on the restoration of the Enid Haupt Conservatory. Interior projects followed with John Stefanides & Juan Pablo Molyneux. After winning a competition for the restoration of 67 Wall Street, he opened his studio in New York (1990).

Jonathan Wimpenny Architect


 

Short Bio

 

 

Lee Wimpenny Inc (1990 - 2012) was founded by Jonathan and Nan Lee and many of the projects illustrated here are the result of  this team effort. Before founding LW Inc, Nan (photo right) had a  successful career as designer  for Jack Lenor Larson (NYC) and Zaha Hadid (London). Many of Nan's projects have been published, illustrating her excellence in the field of interior design and the use of color.  Nan's work with Zaha was exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York (2006).

 

Vanessa Guilford (photo left) studied at the NY School of Visual Arts and joined Lee Wimpenny Inc first as an intern and then project manager and team leader. She left Lee Wimpenny Inc to join BD Hotels as Design Director specializing in hospitality before establishing her own interior design company Tocci Design Inc.

 

Lee / Wimpenny Inc

Building Tradition

 

Jonathan's architectural career is a continuation of his family's tradition in design and construction and began with his first apprenticehip in the stone quarries of the family business,  J Wimpenny & Co.  Civil Engineers, established in 1884. 

 

Based in the West Riding of Yorkshire , J Wimpenny & Co built a wide range of civic buildings that often included the fine yellow ashlar stone worked and dressed at its quarries at Crosland Moor, Huddersfield.

 

Illustrations shown here:

Joney Wimpenny (circa 1910),  J Wimpenny & Co's steam wagons Honley (1925), Huddersfield Library  a fine example of the use of Crosland Moor Stone (1930's), J Wimpenny & Co Brochure illustrating scope of projects and expertise. Finally, Jonathan Wimpenny with his men in the same pose as his grandfather in the first slide.

 

Jonathan Wimpenny Architect

 


 

RIBA-USA President Emeritus

During Jonathan’s previous tenure as President, the RIBA-USA was established as a bona fide US charity. Donations increased and the US RIBA Region grew. 

 

Jonathan hosted receptions and lecture programs with the British Consulate ( New York, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans and Denver) as well as representing RIBA-USA in Beijing, China and awarding prizes for students included in the Diverse City competion and exhibition. In 2012, the annual RIBA-USA 2012 program, hosted by Jonathan and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the USA  Sir Peter John Westmacott KCMG LVO, was held at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Washington DC.


In 2012, an important Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Jonathan as President of RIBA-USA and Angela Brady as President of RIBA cementing an alliance between the two institutions.

 

Throughout his Presidency, Jonathan continued his mission of promoting the British building Industry working in close collaboration with UK Trade & Investment. and on May 2, 2014 he was elected as President Emeritus by the RIBA-USA Board of Trustees.

Jonathan Wimpenny Architect

 


 

Academia

Graduating with honors from the Architectural Association, Jonathan continued his affiliation with the AA as assistant professor with John Andrews under Dr Robin Evans before taking a position as visiting lecturer at the University of Udine (Italy).

 

Moving to New York in the mid 1980's, he held a lecturing post at Parsons School of Design and has since served on student jury panels at Bennington College (Vermont), the Art Institute (Chicago) and Columbia University (Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation).

He has also lectured on architecture and city planning in Beijing (China), London (UK), Madrid (Spain), New Orleans, Denver, Chicago and New York.

Jonathan Wimpenny Architect


 

Books & Published Articles

A selection of published works are illustrated here - for further details please contact us.

 

Jonathan Wimpenny Architect

 

 

 


 

Clients, Partners & Sponsors

We take this opportunity to thank clients, the UK Trade & Investment and other sponsors of projects and RIBA-USA events.

Jonathan Wimpenny Architect

 


 
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