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Architect Alan Lapidus, son of Morris Lapidus, passes away at 85

2021-10-25T19:42:00-04:00

On October 15, architect Alan Lapidus passed away in his home in Naples, Maine after battling prostate cancer. His legacy is often connected with his architect father, Morris Lapidus, and being "Donald Trump's architect." However, after working with his father for many years, he used those lessons and experiences he gained to establish a long architecture career designing hotels and casinos.

In a New York Times obituary written by Sam Roberts, he notes that even when Lapidus etched a name for himself while working at his father's firm, "Mr. Lapidus did not try to outdo his father, whose motto was 'Too much is never enough.' But he followed his advice, designing palatial lodgings and capacious gambling halls to create 'participatory theater,' he wrote, in which guests could 'indulge and fulfill their fantasies.'"

Alan Lapidus in 2018 speaking on his career and time working with Fred and Donald Trump while building the now-demolished Trump Plaza and Casino in Atlantic City. Image stil...

How did architect Morris Lapidus' 'Stairs to Nowhere' transform stepped seating?

2019-10-27T15:00:00-04:00

The visually ascending nature of stairs often creates two initial reactions, amazement or hesitation. In a recent piece by the Washington Post writer Maura Judkis unpacks the "stairs to nowhere" design concept. Initially coined by architect Morris Lapidus after his signature staircase for the famed Miami Fontainebleau hotel, the design has transformed into an interior detail that's taken over offices, public areas, and universities.

Judkis shares that this style of stairs have "become such Instagram magnets, though architects insist they're not designed with that in mind." Iconic stairs can be found all over the globe, representing structures of symbolism as well as functionality. However, the humble stair has also become a casual gathering hub for people to talk, work, and give presentations.