Stephen A. Lesser
Stephen Alexander Lesser is an American architect, in practice in East Hampton, New York, specializing in modern residential and commercial buildings in the school of Le Corbusier. He is perhaps best known for his work on Faneuil [Hall Marketplace] project in downtown Boston, MA.
Early life and education
Lesser was born in Bethesda, Maryland, the son of Virginia Hirst Lesser, a painter and teacher of art and piano, and Dr. Alexander Lesser, a Hofstra University professor of anthropology. He was raised in Manhasset, New York and graduated from Manhasset High School, where he was editor-in-chief of the literary magazine and a member of the National Honor Society. He graduated from Columbia University in 1966 with a B.A. in Social Sciences. He received a Master of Architecture from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University in 1972.Career
Beginning in 1971, Lesser worked at several Boston firms, including The Architects Collaborative, and Perry Dean and Partners before joining Benjamin C. Thompson and Associates. There, he worked for two years on the Faneuil Hall Marketplace project.In 1975, Lesser moved his practice to New York. He joined Richard Meier Associates where he honed his Corbusian style in residential and commercial buildings. He later joined Rivkin/Weisman, PC where he worked his way up to director. In 1986, he formed Nagel and Lesser, Architects moving to East Hampton. The practice included a broad range of residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Since 1994, he has been a sole practitioner.
Teaching
Appointments: Columbia, guest lecturer in Architecture and PlanningNew York Institute of Technology
Guest Critic: Yale, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, NYIT, Columbia, Roger Williams University
Licenses
Certified: National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, 1975Registered: Massachusetts, New York,, and New Jersey
Member: AIA/National, State and AIA Peconic Chapter
Publications
Architectural Review "Credit DuNord Offices" November 1982, pp 46–7Yale Perspecta
Architectural Record "The Dubai Bank" January 1983, pp 85–91
Progressive Architecture "Bavarian Emissary" September 1984, 100-105
The New York Times "From Blueprint to Imprint" November 21, 1993
Newsday "A Carriage Trade" October 16, 1994, pp 26–27
Awards
American Institute of Architecture/Long Island Chapter:Residential,
Institutional and
Young Firm
Architectural Record: Record House and Record Interiors
Beauxarch IV: Commercial Project