Nationality Canadian Role Architect | Name Harley Swedler Occupation Architect | |
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Born 1962 Ottawa, Canada Awards Susan G. Komen 'Co-Survivor' Practice Pasanella and Klein; Richard Meier and Partners Architects | ||
Harley Swedler (born 1962) is a New York-based architect, designer and author.
Biography
Harley Swedler was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 1962. Swedler earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Carleton University in Ottawa. Upon completing his studies, in Canada and Italy, Swedler worked at the offices of Pasanella and Klein, where he was involved in the renovation of Joan Rivers' Manhattan pied-a-terre. He completed his licensing requirements while working at Richard Meier and Partners Architects on projects in Europe and North America. Upon becoming a New York State registered professional, Swedler opened his own design atelier in Tribeca. He began creating functional art objects for private collectors, and his pieces were noted in The New York Times and international design magazines. His work was acquired by the Jewish Museum for its permanent collection. A line of housewares was later introduced under the Harley label, sold at the Guggenheim Museum shops, Fred Segal and Nordstroms.
Harley eventually relocated his studio to his Long Island home. The glass and steel JAM House was reviewed in Interior Design magazine and Martha Stewart Living.
While volunteering his time as an architect for the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) in Rwanda, Swedler wrote a blog detailing his experiences in East Africa. In the course of writing a book about breast cancer, he became actively involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure (SGK), a breast cancer advocacy and outreach organization partnered with the Joint Distribution Committee project in Rwanda. In 2008 Swedler was honored as the Susan G. Komen 'Co-Survivor' for his literary efforts in putting out a male perspective on the effects of breast cancer on women and their families.
Swedler's large scale work Personalasweiss was commissioned by The Jewish Museum Berlin for the exhibition Haut Ab. The installation featured three life-sized images of the artist laid bare with geo-political fig leaves - a reference to the ritual of circumcision in the three monotheistic religions. Swedler subsequently served as the Director of Communications and External Affairs at the interdisciplinary design studio of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, where he worked on projects including the renovation and expansion of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and The Shed in New York.
Harley Swedler works as an architect, designer, artist, filmmaker, writer, and culinary professional. A website devoted to his work details his ongoing projects.