June 1, 2014

Orlando Diaz-Azcuy: 1988 Hall of Fame Inductee



Orlando Portrait

Both as design principal for

Gensler and Associates Architects

from 1976 to 1987 and in recent years as head of

his own design studio and firm

, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy has had an important and far-ranging influence on the contemporary practice of interior design. While with Gensler, the designer made a reputation with such landmark projects as the interiors for the Levi Strauss and Company headquarters in San Francisco and United Bank of Denver’s headquarters in Denver.

On July 1st, 1985, he opened his own design studio on a part-time basis, producing, among other things, a well-received line of furniture for

Hickory Business Furniture

. As of October 1st, 1987, Mr. Diaz-Azcuy has been solely occupied by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy Designs, Inc.

In 2001 Mr. Diaz-Azcuy opened a second office in New York City. His list of residential projects includes the Levin residence, the Vainio residence, the Lavan-Adams residence, and the Sir Michael Kadoorie residence. Some of his commercial commissions include: the Western Athletic Club facilities, the Law Offices of Shearman & Sterling, Folger Levin & Kahn, Green Radovsky et al, the investment offices of RS Investment Management, and Morgan Capital Management, the restoration of the “Intermezzo” Lounge for the San Francisco Opera, the Park La Brea Apartments, the USC/Norton Comprehensive Cancer Center & Hospital, the Spa and Pool of Hong Kong’s celebrated Peninsula Hotel, The Peninsula Phuket Hotel, the Yomitan Membership Hotel, and the offices of Horsley Bridge International. Most recently he has redesigned the world renowned Masa’s restaurant. Mr. Diaz-Azcuy’s product design includes several furniture collections for

McGuire Furniture Co

, HBF, Stow Davis, and

Steelcase

; textile design for

HBF Textiles

, the

Schumacher Company

and

Pallas Textiles

; and a lighting collection for

Boyd Lighting

.

The Cuban born Orlando Diaz-Azcuy earned a degree in Architecture from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture, and a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning, both from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a trustee of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Opera Association, a position he formerly held with both The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and University Art Museum in Berkeley.


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