New Taipei City Art Museum. Image credit: © Iwan Baan
Event Description
Architecture embodies both the visible and the invisible.
Its physical presence “materials, forms, and structure” is tangible and evident. Yet, its deeper essence is intangible, shaped by spatial experiences, cultural narratives, and the natural and historical context of a place.
The challenge lies in harmonizing these two dimensions, transforming them to resonate with contemporary lives and minds. This delicate balance is what makes architecture not just a discipline, but a profound and ever-evolving dialogue between past and future, nature and culture, the seen and the unseen.
Speaker
Kris Yao, Hon. FAIA, Founder, KRIS YAO|ARTECH
CES: Estimated 1 LU for AIA Members
Speaker Bio
Kris Yao is the founder of KRIS YAO | ARTECH, an Asia-based architectural firm established in 1985, with offices in Taipei and Shanghai. Over the past four decades, the firm has built a diverse portfolio spanning cultural, corporate, commercial, hospitality, performing arts, transportation, institutional, residential, and educational projects.
Throughout his distinguished career, Kris has received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Environmental Design at the University of California, Berkeley (2005), Taiwan’s National Award for Arts (2007), an Honorary Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects (Hon. FAIA, 2014), and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from NYCU (2024). His work has been widely featured in international architectural publications, and the firm has released five monographs, most recently SECTION: KRIS YAO | ARTECH (2024).
Kris has participated in major international architectural exhibitions, including the Venice International Architecture Biennale, the Rotterdam International Architecture Biennale, and the Beijing International Architectural Art Biennale. He has also held solo exhibitions, such as 30x30 in Beijing and Within．Without at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai.
Renowned for his poetic approach to architecture, Kris seamlessly integrates function, culture, and history, creating designs that celebrate the unique spirit of each location.
