[BCoS Alumni Fireside Chat] Threading Culture into Urban Design

Event

Embark on an insightful journey into the world of architecture and design with our Cal community members Kris Yao and Xiang Jen Yao! Architect Kris Yao and Xiang Jen Yao are world renowned for their work throughout Asia. In his session we will explore how the rich tapestry of Asian and Chinese culture weaves its way into the fabric of innovative designs and architecture, creating spaces that harmonize tradition with modernity. Gain firsthand insights into the challenges of crafting architecture and designs that reflect the spirit of Chinese culture while embracing global influences.

Whether you're an aspiring architect, design enthusiast, or simply curious about the transformative power of spaces, this conversation promises to inspire and broaden your perspective. Limited seats available for an evening of cultural exploration and architectural brilliance – secure your spot now to be part of this enriching conversation!

Tickets are limited, so sign up soon!

Date: 25 January 2023 (Thursday)

Location: WeWork UE Square

Light refreshments will be provided!

About

BCoS Alumni Fireside Chat is a community event hosted by the Berkeley Club of Singapore. As an alumni club, BCoS aims to create a supportive environment where alumni from all years and backgrounds can engage in constructive dialogue to learn from one another.

Panelists

Kris Yao

Kris Yao is the founder of KRIS YAO | ARTECH, an Asia-based architectural firm with offices in Taipei and Shanghai. He obtained a Bachelor of Architecture from Taiwan’s Tunghai University, and received a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. His projects are mainly located in the Greater China area, and can also be found in the United States, Europe and South Asia.

Throughout his 40 years of practice, Mr. Yao has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Environmental Design at the University of California, Berkeley in 2005, the National Award for Arts in Taiwan in 2007, and the prestigious Honorary Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects (Hon. FAIA) in 2014. Mr. Yao’s works have been widely published in international architectural magazines, professional journals, and several monographs, including “Kris Yao/Artech-Selected and Current Works” in 2001, “Architecture of Kris Yao” in 2011, the three-volume “KRIS YAO | ARTECH selected works 30x30” in 2015, and the most recent “SECTION: KRIS YAO | ARTECH” in 2024.

Kris Yao has taken part in many international architectural exhibitions, including Venice International Architectural Biennale, Rotterdam Int’l Architectural Biennale, and Beijing Int’l Architectural Art Biennale. He also held solo exhibitions “30x30” in Beijing, and “Within．Without” at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai.

His most acclaimed projects include Lanyang Museum, Palace Museum Southern Branch, Water-Moon Monastery, and the recently completed New Taipei City Art Museum in Taiwan, as well as Foxconn Headquarters Shanghai, TSMC Nanjing Campus, Wuzhen Theater, Hupan Learning and Research Center, among others.

Mr. Yao’s architecture integrates function with culture and history, presenting a unique approach that celebrates the spirit of the locality. The AIA praised him as an architect who “demonstrates his humanity with the development of physical elements that hold true to human emotion and conditions, cultural and historical context, and a sense of scale and place. His architecture has a poetic nature, using his native eastern aesthetic and spirituality with a sense of natural light, interplay of surfaces and forms and executing all with a high level of innovation and professionalism.”

https://www.krisyaoartech.com/

Xiang Jen Yao

Xiang Jen Yao is a Senior Partner at KRIS YAO│ARTECH, where she manages the firm's administrative and public relations activities. She is also responsible for the Information Technology system and operations in the office. Since 2006, she has overseen the complete digitization of the firm's data, encompassing both administrative matters and architectural records. This digital advancement in the operations of the architectural firm has been noted for its contribution to environmentally friendly practices. In addition to her administrative role, Xiang also engages in interior, graphic, and creative design for the firm's innovative projects. She has designed many of KRIS YAO│ARTECH's creative projects, which have received widespread acclaim.

Xiang Jen Yao is also an award-winning designer whose work spans the fields of interior design, fashion, gift and jewelry. She has also written two best-setting publications: The Art of Chinese Living: An inheritance of tradition (first published in Chinese in 2010) and Along the Taipei River (2020). For both books, Xiang assembled detailed descriptions, compelling stories and stunning visuals that would captivate her readers and transmit her deep passion for Chinese art and tradition. World-renowned publisher HarperCollins praised her work: "Behind the beauty of this book, it is clear that she is a mother who is passionate about educating her children in her own culture. She effortlessly connects ancient Chinese culture with the modern world, and she offers a refreshing perspective on thousands of years of glorious history.”

https://www.artofchineseliving.com/en/home.php