Born in Israel and raised in multiple African countries, he first gained architectural expertise in developing and manufacturing curtain walls. Mr. Elbaz moved to NYC in 1986 and graduated in 1995 from Cooper Union School of Architecture. Afterwards, he continued honing his skills with such masters as Peter Eisenman, Raymond Abrahams, and Joseph Paul Kleihues in Berlin.
Elbaz has served as adjunct professor at Pratt Institute and Jerusalem University, as well as a visiting critic at various universities. His work has been covered in the US and internationally in places like The New York Times, The Washington Post, Architects Newspaper, Metropolis Magazine, and more. Rafi Elbaz brings over 20 years worth of experience and mastery in architecture, manufacturing, and development with an emphasis on community and sustainable design.
He is a Current participant in the AMDP program at Harvard University for Global leadership in Advanced Real Estate Development.
Awards + Exhibitions
Winner – First Step Housing Competition
Jury Selection – Highline Competition
Finalist – National Sustainable Leadership Award
Elbaz has exhibited his work at MoMA PS1’s The Urban Center, The Center for Architecture NYC, Paris’ Centre Pompidou, and other renowned venues.