César Pelli

Argentinian-American architect César Pelli, who recently died at the age of 92, designed some of the world’s most iconic buildings, including Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers. But in New York, he’s best known for designing the World Financial Center complex, now known as Brookfield Place, and its beautiful glass-enclosed winter garden. Earlier in his career, Pelli worked at Eero Saarinen’s firm, contributing to projects like the now-revived TWA Terminal at JFK Airport.

Isabel Castilla

A principal at James Corner Field Operations, Puerto Rican landscape architect Isabel Castilla worked as the lead designer and project manager for the High Line at the Rail Yards, which opened in 2014. The section is located between West 30th and 34th streets and Tenth and Twelfth avenues, and has several notable features including the 30th Street Grove, the Rail Track Walk, and the Eleventh Avenue Bridge, which is surrounded by gardens.

Oscar Niemeyer

Modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer, who hailed from Brazil, was part of the committee of 10 international architects (led by Wallace K. Harrison) that was tasked with designing the United Nations headquarters in Midtown. The overall concept was attributed to both Niemeyer and Le Corbusier, and the pair also collaborated on the 39-story Secretariat building and General Assembly structure, which was completed in 1952.

Ismael Leyva

Mexican architect Ismael Leyva has been involved as the architect for several notable buildings in the city, including The Charles, Place 57, and The Greenpoint. He was also the executive architect and worked in collaboration with other firms at Related’s 15 Hudson Yards. Further, he designed the layouts and interior architecture for Time Warner Center’s residences, completed in 2004, working alongside the project’s architect of record, David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Gustavo Rodriguez

Born in the Dominican Republic, Gustavo Rodriguez, a partner at FXCollaborative, has worked on several buildings throughout the five boroughs, including the upcoming 1 Willoughby Square, The Ashland, and Long Island City’s The Forge. Completed in 2017, that 38-story rental building is skinny and sleek, with views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline from its apartments.

Enrique Norten

Enrique Norten, founder of TEN Arquitectos, was born in Mexico City; his New York City projects include Mercedes House in Manhattan and 300 Ashland in Fort Greene. The facade of the 35-story building is said to resemble a boat, and it has a 15,000-square-foot public plaza that’s open to all, not just residents. The building will also soon host several cultural institutions including a branch of the Brooklyn Public Library and the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts.