In Memoriam: Ashok Bhavnani, AIA, Ashok Bhavnani Architects (1933-2015)

As a young architect, I had the pleasure of seeing the Bhavnanis on a number of occasions at my parents’ home on the Upper East Side. In this informal setting, I was especially impressed by Ashok Bhavnani’s deep appreciation of art and drawing. He and his wife Mitzi were seasoned travelers, and I recall very engaging tales of their adventures, especially in Italy. For several decades he was John M. Johansen’s partner during some of the firm’s pivotal work, but in his later career he had his own practice with distinct accomplishments in New York, including the jewel-like Merkin Concert Hall tucked into the Lincoln Center neighborhood. Ashok Bhavnani was a thoughtful, talented, and dedicated architect – a credit to our profession who will be greatly missed.