Charles Renfro


Charles Renfro joined Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) in 1997 and became a Partner in 2004. He led the design and construction of the studio’s first concert hall outside of the US – The Tianjin Juilliard School in China – as well as the studio’s first public park outside of the US – Zaryadye Park in Moscow. Charles has also led the design of much of DS+R’s academic portfolio, with projects completed at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Brown University, the University of Chicago, and the recently completed Columbia Business School. Charles Renfro is leading the design of multiple interdisciplinary arts centers, including the new home for the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance in Harlem, New York and Sarofim Hall, a new home for Rice University’s Visual Arts department in Houston. Charles has been recognized twice with the Out100 list, and since 2012, has been deeply involved with BOFFO, a nonprofit organization that supports the work of queer LGBTQ+ BIPOC artists and designers. Charles has taught at Columbia University and Parsons School of Design at The New School. He is a recurring instructor at Rice University and is on the faculty at the School of Visual Arts.