Join AIA New York for the launch of The Architect of New York (Counterpoint, 2026) by Javier Moro, a compelling book that explores the life and legacy of Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino, whose innovative tile vaulting system helped shape some of New York City’s most iconic spaces.

The evening will begin with welcome remarks, followed by an introduction to Guastavino’s architectural contributions by curator and professor Janet Parks, who will present a visual overview of his work and its lasting impact on the city. Author Javier Moro will then present his book and discuss the fascinating story behind Guastavino’s journey from Spain to New York and the enduring influence of his architectural vision. The program will conclude with a Q&A session and a reception.

Speakers:
Javier Moro, Author, The Architect of New York
Janet Parks, Past Curator of Drawings and Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University

About the Speakers:
Javier Moro is one of the most acclaimed and widely read Spanish novelists, has written extensively on social and environmental issues (Senderos de Libertad (1991), The mountains of the Buddha (1999), Five past midnight in Bhopal (with Dominique Lapierre, 2001, Warner Books), Passion India, (2005) and The Red Sari (2008). As an essayist, he wrote The globalization of poverty (1999), and as a journalist, he collaborates regularly with Spanish newspapers, such as El Pais or El Mundo, and in major European travel magazines. He has also been involved in film productions as well as documentaries. El Imperio eres tú, (You are the Empire), the story of Brazil’s first emperor and the making of the Brazilian nation, was awarded the Premio Planeta in 2011, Spanish language most prestigious award. In 2015 he published A flor de piel (Seix Barral, 2015) (Under the skin), the tale of the Spanish expedition which delivered the newly discovered smallpox vaccine to the New World. In 2018, he was awarded the award Premio Primavera de Novela for his novel Mi Pecado (My Sin), the love story of actress Conchita Montenegro and Leslie Howard. His last book, A prueba de fuego (Espasa, 2020), the story of Rafael Guastavino, a Spanish immigrant who left a strong influence in American architecture, has just been published in the US by Counterpoint Press with the title The Architect of New York.

Janet Parks was Curator of Drawings and Archives at the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, from 1979 until 2017. During her tenure, the Drawings and Archives grew to more than 2 million items and participated in 275 exhibitions and countless publications. Parks curated exhibitions on Max Abramovitz, the Woodlawn Cemetery, McKim, Mead, and White, and the Guastavino Fireproof Construction Company. She arranged and supervised the move of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Archive to New York and as a guest curator, contributed an essay for the exhibition FLW at 150: Unpacking the Archive, at MoMA. The New York Preservation Archives Project selected Parks as a Preservation honoree for 2017. She is currently working on the architectural archives of the American 19th century architect, Alexander Jackson Davis.

Organized by:
Queen Sofía Spanish Institute; Spanish Women Society; Victoria Benatar, AIA, SWS Board Member, EXD Architecture; AIANY Historic Buildings Committee; with the support of the Cultural Office of the Consulate of Spain in New York

Tuesday, 4/7, 6pm - 8pm

Location

Center for Architecture

Price

In-Person - AIANY Member: FreeIn-Person - Student with Valid ID: FreeIn-Person - General Public: FreeAIA Member (not AIANY): Free

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