Richard Meier

Celebrated American architect Richard Meier, whose notable works include designing Getty Center in Los Angeles, and Jubilee Church in Rome has been accused of sexual harassment.

According to the New York Times, four women who have worked for Meier — and another who met him when he was working on the Getty — have described encounters when the architect was unpleasant to women within his team. The allegations include exposing himself and forcing himself onto former employees, an example being they had been shown or asked to help with the architect’s collages, which included images of female genitalia.

Getty Center, designed by Richard Meier

The Pritzker Prize winner has issued an apology and taken a six-month leave from his firm. “I am deeply troubled and embarrassed by the accounts of several women who were offended by my words and actions. While our recollections may differ, I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my behavior,” he said.

In the wake of these allegations, Meier’s alma matter Cornell University has moved to severe ties with the architect. The College of Architecture, Art, and Planning has announced that it would decline Meier’s recent endowment and will be reviewing all of the architect’s past donations.

Sotheby’s has also moved to close Meier’s exhibition of collages and silk-screens at its S2 Gallery in New York, which opened Feb 28 and was supposed to run till March 29.