Elizabeth O’Donnell AR’83

Elizabeth O’Donnell, AIA, graduated from The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture of The Cooper Union in 1983. She has been a member of its faculty since 1984, teaching the first and second years of the Structures sequence, in the Design III studio and in elective seminars. During this time she has also served as Associate Dean of the School of Architecture since 2002 and as Acting Dean between August 2013 and June 2015, working to support the school and its students and advise the college though a time of challenge and change.

Her recent participation in conferences, juries and design reviews, both nationally and internationally, includes: the Bamiyan Cultural Center Design Competition (UNESCO Afghanistan); the Alvar Aalto International Café (Jyväskylä, Finland); Imagining America National Conference (New York); The World Energy Forum (Dubai).

She has served as Public Director for Educational Affairs on the AIANY Board of Directors, serves on the Scholarship Committee of the Center for Architecture Foundation and on the Executive Committee for the New Museum’s IDEAS CITY Festival.

Her architectural practice has emphasized the adaptive re-use of existing buildings for schools, non-profits and residences. She has also worked with artists to realize major site specific projects. Awards include Design Excellence from the AIANY and Design Distinction from International Design magazine.

She is on the advisory board of the design and construction web venture “Sweeten” and is a member of the Zoning Commission for the Town of Taghkanic, New York working to develop a local zoning code to foster economic growth while sustaining rural character and the extraordinary natural resources of the town.

Elizabeth O’Donnell received the American Institute of Architects, Interior Design Award in 1990 and an
I.D. Magazine, Award for Design Distinction in 2002.

Elizabeth O’Donnell received the Hejduk award in 2016 and was inducted into The Cooper Union Hall of Fame in 2016.

Sample of Professional Work:

2010. Residence at 870 U.N Plaza. Design and full services.
2008. “Center for Conversation”, Renovation for the Institute for American Values, New York City.
2007-08. New offices for the Research Institute for the Study of Man and The Reed Foundation, New York City.
2005-07. O’Donnell Residence, Palm Springs California. House renovation and extension.
2002. VanStryker Residence, NYC. New penthouse floor to be added to an existing Landmark structure. Design and full services, including public hearing for approval at the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
2001. Braun Residence, NYC. 3,600 sq. ft. loft. New interior construction. Design and full services.
2000. Gainsborough Studios, NYC. Master Plan for new fenestrations at south facade. Full design and presentation at public hearing at NYC  Landmarks Preservation Commission. Combination of two apartments in the Gainsborough Studios.
2000. Institute for American Values, NYC. 1,375 sq. ft. office renovation. Design and construction documents.
2000. Residence at 870 United Nations Plaza, NYC. 3,600 sq. ft. apartment. Complete renovation.
1997. Weinberg-Smith Residence, NYC. 2,500 sq. ft. duplex loft. Gut renovation. Design and full services.

Additional Info:

Cooper Union Faculty Biography

2014 Conversation  Farshid Moussavi and Elizabeth O’Donnell, The Architecture League of NY