One Vanderbilt Featured in CONFLUENCE Series on PBS

In the episode titled “The Dance,” the KPF President and Design Principal explains that to be a successful architect, it is crucial to learn from the experts who make construction possible and to be open the way a design evolves over the life of a project. He stresses the importance of constant collaboration with the engineers, consultants, and peers whose input is vital to solving the unique challenges of constructing tall buildings and transforming ideas into built reality.

Sketching in his studio, Jamie likens architectural design to jazz, explaining, “You’re not sure where you’re going with it, but you sort of feel the progress when you’re making it.” This ideology shapes KPF’s approach toward design as an iterative process that requires critique and revision to reach a final product. Using One Vanderbilt as a case study, Jamie unpacks the nature of the design process, which often originates with one idea and evolves to meet the project’s aesthetic and functional goals. Located next to Grand Central Terminal, the base of the One Vanderbilt is modeled after a “glassy lantern” to complement the stone architecture of the station. He also points out that the taper of the tower amplifies light and air for the adjacent streets while creating a distinctive silhouette on the skyline.

Jamie appears alongside architecture critic Paul Goldberger and structural engineer Sylvian Marcus. The three experts offer their own perspectives on architecture’s unique blend of art and science, reiterating the need for open-mindedness and collaboration throughout the design process.

The CONFLUENCE series, produced by the Center for New American Media, explores the intersection between the arts and science. Featuring an array of visionaries with both technical expertise and artistic prowess, the series aims to celebrate innovation and spark human creativity.

Jamie’s episode debuted on pbs.org for free streaming and will be broadcast live on PBS on July 23. Watch now here.