Michael Graves (July 9, 1934 – March 12, 2015) was an influential American architect and designer who emerged as a defining figure in the Postmodern movement. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1958 and a master’s in architecture from Harvard University in 1959, before winning the prestigious Prix de Rome to study in Italy. Graves began teaching at Princeton University in 1962 and remained on the faculty for nearly four decades. He established Michael Graves & Associates in 1964, later Michael Graves Architecture & Design, eventually producing more than 350 buildings worldwide—ranging from corporate offices and cultural venues to public institutions—alongside over 2,000 consumer products.
Graves initially rose as a member of the “New York Five,” known for their minimalist modernist aesthetic—but by the late 1970s he embraced Postmodernism, introducing color, ornament, and playful historical references into projects like the groundbreaking Portland Building in Oregon (1982) and the Humana Tower in Louisville, Kentucky. His Swans and Dolphin resorts at Walt Disney World further blended whimsy with narrative architecture. From the 1980s onward, he became equally celebrated for his accessible product designs – most famously the Alessi “bird‑whistle” kettle – and mass‑market collaborations with brands like Target and JCPenney, bringing high‑quality design to everyday consumers. After a spinal cord infection in 2003 left him paralyzed, Graves refocused on designing healthcare‑oriented products and environments, striving to improve living conditions for people with disabilities.
Throughout his career, Graves earned numerous accolades, including the AIA Gold Medal (2001), the National Medal of Arts (1999), and the Driehaus Prize (2012). He served on the U.S. Access Board under President Obama and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Known for nurturing a collaborative firm culture and championing democratic design, Graves’s legacy intertwines bold architecture, thoughtful product design, and humanitarian advocacy.
Select Projects:
Denver Central Library, Denver CO
Portland Building, Portland OR
Humana Tower, Louisville KY
Team Disney, Burbank CA
Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Orlando FL
Walt Disney World Swan Resort, Orlando FL
Steigenberger Hotel, El Gouna Egypt
Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis IN
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester VA
10 Peachtree Place, Atlanta GA
1500 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach FL
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka KS
Burj Dubai Towers, Dubai UAE
Louwman Museum, The Hague Netherlands
More Reading:
The Many Sides of Michael Graves
Spotlight Michael Graves Arch Daily