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Founder

Kris Yao, Hon. FAIA

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, the Honorary Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects (Hon. FAIA) in 2014, and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from NYCU in 2024. 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."
 
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Founder

Kris Yao, Hon. FAIA

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, the Honorary Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects (Hon. FAIA) in 2014, and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from NYCU in 2024. 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."
 

TEAM

President ‧ Architect
Xiao-Wen Bao
President ‧ Architect
Xiao-Wen Bao

Xiao-Wen Bao is a President in KRIS YAO|ARTECH in Shanghai. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from Tongji University in 2000, and is a licensed architect in China. She had previously worked at Smith Group. Xiao-Wen joined the Shanghai Office of KRIS YAO|ARTECH in 2003.

Xiao-Wen is specialized in project management and building codes. Her current participating and completed projects include Bai Jia Lake Cultural Sub-Center, The Nanhai Buddhism Academy, Hupan University Phase One, Yangzhou Modem Services District- Complex and 180-meter High-rise Office Tower, Huanshan Exhibition Center, Eslite Bookstore Suzhuo, Greenland Group Shanghai South Station Road House, Shanghai Longhua Airport Lot 1 Complex, Shanghai Haipo Xuhui Commercial and Residence and Huashan Square.

Partner ‧ Architect
Glen Lu
Partner ‧ Architect
Glen Lu

Glen Lu is the Partner/Architect of KRIS YAO | ARTECH in Taipei and he is a licensed architect. Glen graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from Tunghai University in 1986, and joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH In 1988. Glen specializes in architectural planning, code analysis and project coordination. With extensive experience in building regulations, he finds solutions to satisfy every client's demands, and to achieve benefits of higher efficiency in architectural projects; he became a Partner in 2000. In recent years Glen is actively involved with the National Architects Association to provide inputs in renewing the building codes, and to share his experience in project execution.

Glen works on a wide range of projects, with his wealth of knowledge to proactively meet the challenges and to integrate clients' needs. His current participating and completed projects include NYCU Hospital, TSMC Hsinchu, New Taipei Museum of Art, Formosa Plastic Group Headquarters and Residential Tower Complex, China Development Financial Tower, Humble House Hotel, Fo Guang Shan Monastery Bussy France, Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, Le Meridien Hotel and Office Complex, HTC Taipei Headquarters, Tongshan Residential Tower, Chiao Tung University Guest House, Silks Palace National Palace Museum and Luminary Buddhist Center.

Partner ‧ Architect
Grace Lin, AIA
Partner ‧ Architect
Grace Lin, AIA

Grace Lin is a Partner in KRIS YAO | ARTECH. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture from University of California, Berkeley, and the Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University. She is a registered architect in New York, a member of AIA, and also a LEED Accredited Professional. Grace previously worked as a design architect in New York City and Berkeley. She joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH in 2006. She is experienced in international collaboration projects, and has great design, professional management and communication ability in project execution.

Grace specializes in concept development, initial schemes, facade design, and project management. Her current participating and completed projects are Xiamen Bank Headquarters, Far Eastern Villa Resort, Yankuang Group Haikou Headquarters, Foxconn Shanghai Headquarters, Fubon Tower ( with RPBW ), Nanjing Shangqinhuai Int'l Culture Exchange Center, Cathay Landmark, Taipei Performing Arts Center (with OMA) and Kelti Center. She also participated in many design competitions, including Kaohsiung Port and Cruise Service Center, Beijing Qijiayuan Diplomatic Office, West Kowloon Xiqu Center, Shanghai Expo Parcel A09A-02, etc.

Partner ‧ Architect
Naiwen Cheng
Partner ‧ Architect
Naiwen Cheng

Naiwen Cheng, is a Partner in KRIS YAO | ARTECH and is a licensed architect in Taiwan. She received her Bachelor of Architecture from Cheng Kung University in 1995, the Master of Architecture from Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in 1999, and the Master of Architecture from Berlage Institute, Netherlands in 2006. She taught at Department of Architecture in Ming Chung University, then joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH in 2000. She was stationed in Shanghai during 2010-2015. 

Naiwen has the complete experience with architectural design and construction management. She focuses on schematic design, details, façade, and project execution and specialized on office buildings and cultural facilities. Her major ongoing and completed projects are NYCU Hospital, Radium Life Tech Headquarters, Rich Development Songjiang Headquarters, Luen Mei Group Shanghai TH1 Theater, Nanhai Buddhism Academy, Foxconn Shanghai Headquarters, CRC Shenzheng Arts Center, Han Po-teh Memorial Hall, Dzongsar Museum, Wuzhen Theater, Eslite Tokyo, China Steel Corporation Headquarters, Quanta Research & Development Center, etc.

Principal ‧ Architect
Yi-Chin Wang
Principal ‧ Architect
Yi-Chin Wang
Yi-Chin Wang is a Principal in KRIS YAO | ARTECH. She obtained her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Tamkang University and the Master of Architecture from Harvard University. She is a registered architect in Massachusetts and has worked in architectural offices in San Francisco and Boston, focusing on mixed-use development and residential projects. She joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH in 2015. 

Yi-Chin has extensive experience covering architectural design and construction. She excels in communicating and coordinating with international consultant teams for complex project integration. She has participated in diverse types of projects including TSMC Phoenix, Xiamen Bank Headquarters, Fubon Tower, Dunnan Landmark, Yilan Jiaxi Resort Hotel. She has also contributed to projects such as Shih Chien University Dorm Phase III, Licchavi House, The Live True Residence.
Associate Principal ‧ RA
Chieh Cheng
Associate Principal ‧ RA
Chieh Cheng
Chieh Cheng is an Associate Principal of KRIS YAO | ARTECH. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from University of Huston, and is a registered architect in the State of Texas, USA. With years of rich professional experiences in both China and the United States, he excels in communicating with clients, guiding the integration of preliminary planning directions, and has experiences in real estate developments, both in large-scale commercial complex, or small exquisite hotel and private housing types.

Chieh is steady and perceptive, with a broad international perspective that brings diverse viewpoints to the team. Currently, he is simultaneously involved in important projects in Taipei and Shanghai, including Formosa Plastics Group Headquarters and Residential Tower Complex, Shandong Energy Group Healthcare Developments, etc.
Senior Consultant ‧ Architect
Willy YungWei Yu, FAIA
Senior Consultant ‧ Architect
Willy YungWei Yu, FAIA

Willy YungWei Yu is a Senior Consultant in KRIS YAO | ARTECH. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Tunghai University in 1975, and a Master of Architecture with a major in Architectural Administration, from the University of California, Berkeley in 1980. He joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH in 1990.

Willy supervises the firm's overall management and contracts. He is also the technical director in detail design, construction documentation and administration. He establishes KRIS YAO | ARTECH's architecture resource platform, where lectures, seminars and construction site visits are offered to colleagues, even to clients or the general public. This program allows for the sharing of information on architecture and construction; giving various professionals more opportunities to learn from each other.

Willy is an AIA member, and is elected as a FAIA in 2017. He is also a registered architect in both California and Taiwan.

Partner
Kuo-Chien Shen
Partner
Kuo-Chien Shen

Kuo-Chien Shen is a Partner of KRIS YAO | ARTECH. He received a Master of Arts degree in Applied Arts from the National Chiao-Tung University in 2000. In 2001, Kuo-Chien was awarded the Phillips/NTIO Scholarship to study at the Berlage Institute in the Netherlands, and received the Master of Excellence degree in Architecture in 2003. He joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH in 2004. His works has won the Far Eastern International Digital Architectural Design Award and Honorable Mention for the Italy's Virtual Museum Design Competition. He also taught at the National Chiao-Tung University Graduate School of Architecture and Tunghai University Graduate School of Architecture. He continues to participate in various academic activities, and actively promote the integration of academics and industry, to develop the most advanced architectural possibilities.

Kuo-Chien's creativity and avant-garde approach in architecture has led to many successful projects. His current participating and completed projects are TSMC Arizona, TSMC Hsinchu, Joy City Chongqing, TSMC Nanjing, New Taipei Museum of Art , NTU Cosmology, Palace Museum, Southern Branch, Wuzhen Theater, Museum of Prehistory–Tainan Branch, Pingtung Performing Arts Center, Yunlin High Speed Rail Station , Changhua High Speed Rail Station and Kelti Center . He also has led many international design competitions, including Wei-Wu-Ying Center for the Arts, Taipei Performing Arts Center, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, etc.

Partner
Chien-Yi Wu
Partner
Chien-Yi Wu

Chien-Yi Wu is a Partner of KRIS YAO | ARTECH. He joined the firm in 2009, and has solid working experiences in all project executive stages. Chien-Yi has an in-depth knowledge of construction methods and techniques. He has a clear and careful approach towards architectural details, and communicates well with the contractor to ensure the construction follows the design intent. He also assists in the firm’s education training works in relationship with project management.

Chien-Yi is experienced in public cultural projects. His major ongoing and completed projects include New Taipei City Art Museum, Tong Hsing Electronics, Taoyuan A8 Bus Terminal, Arcadyan Headquarters, Cosmology Center Taiwan University, Museum of Prehistory, Palace Museum Southern Branch, Pingtung Performing Arts Center, Yunlin High Speed Rail Station, Le Meridien Hotel and Office Complex, Luodong Government Center, etc.

Senior Partner / Administrative Principal
Xiang Jen Yao
Senior Partner / Administrative Principal
Xiang Jen Yao

Xiang Jen Yao was born in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1983 she obtained a Bachelor degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising at Los Angeles. Xiang is a Senior Partner/Administrative Principal in KRIS YAO│ARTECH. She manages the administrative and public relations for the firm. Xiang is also responsible for the Information Technology system and operations in the office. Starting from 2006, she has facilitated the complete data digitization of the firm, both for administrative matters and architectural records. This digital advancement in architectural firm operations has been celebrated for its resonance in environmentally friendly practices.

Xiang also conducts interior, graphic and creative design for the firm's innovative projects. She designs many of KRIS YAO│ARTECH's creative projects, which have been widely and popularly received.
 
For the purpose of community fundraising, Ms. Xiang Jen Yao published a book series "Art of Chinese Living" on August 2010, which was composed of four booklets, namely "Spring", "Summer", "Autumn' and "Winter".  Within the books, she discussed a series of Chinese cultural heritage in response to climatic changes passed down since ancient times, including diet and costume, poem and drama, seasonal health regulation, ecological planting, family management, and family migration.  The whole book series took five years to complete, affirmed by readers globally.  The English version of "Art of Chinese Living" published in December 2021. In July 2020, a new book series "Along the Taipei River" is further published, Its an introduction to the city she was born and raised in, again with a mix of history, storytelling and new imagery about her love for the city she was born and raised in.

Senior Principal
Jun-Ren Chou
Senior Principal
Jun-Ren Chou

Jun-Ren Chou is a Senior Principal of KRIS YAO | ARTECH. He received an Architectural Construction degree from Hwa Hsia Institute of Technology in 1987, the Bachelor's degree in Architecture from National Taipei University of Technology in 2001, and joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH in the same year. Jun-Ren is responsible for all types of project management. He is good at resolving the conflicts between design and construction. With a great deal of construction experience, he fulfills the design intent and ensures the best quality finish in all Kris Yao | Artech’s works.

Jun-Ren specializes in construction communication/coordination, budget management, and schedule planning. His current inspecting and participated construction projects include Palace Museum, Southern Branch, Museum of Prehistory–Tainan Branch, Pingtung Performing Arts Center, Asia University Art Museum, Water-Moon Monastery, Shih Chien University Gymnasium & Library, Lanyang Museum, Shih Chien University College of Design and Hsinchu High Speed Rail Station.

Senior Principal
Winnie Wang
Senior Principal
Winnie Wang

Winnie Wang is a Senior Principal in KRIS YAO | ARTECH. She graduated from the Department of Architecture, University of Auckland, New Zealand in 2007 and obtained her Master Degree of Architecture in 2009. She joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH Taipei team at the same year, and through the years, she participated in several outstanding cultural projects. Winnie generates great energy in competition projects, and dedicates on project execution quality through the process; she assists on exhibition execution. She was stationed in Shanghai during the year of 2018~2019. Apart from managing specific projects, she assists in design quality control and education training in the firm.

Winnie is active and adventurous. Her innovative ideas and enthusiasm impel the design intent to realization. Her major participated and ongoing projects are Hupan Campus, TSMC Nanjing, TSMC Hsinchu, NTU Cosmology Hall, Museum of Prehistory–Tainan Branch, Palace Museum, Southern Branch, and Pingtung Performing Arts Center; exhibition executions include the Ninth Column at Venice Biennale in 2014, "WithIn.WithOut" at MoCA Shanghai in 2016.

Technical Director
Chu-Yi Hsu
Technical Director
Chu-Yi Hsu

Chu-Yi Hsu, is a Technical Director of KRIS YAO | ARTECH. He has a Bachelor's Degree from the Dept. of Civil Engineering, Dahan Institute of Technology in 1998 and studied in the Graduate Institute of Architecture and Urban Design, Chinese Culture University in 1999.  He joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH in 1991, specializing in Codes and Construction Engineering.  He returned in 2010 to Artech Shanghai Office.
 
Chu-Yi specializes in maintaining the design intents throughout the construction via close communication and detail coordination.  The projects that he has been involved with include Wuzhen Theater; the Jiulongcang Hannzou Junxi Project; Suzhuo Eslite Bookstore Mall, Huanshan Municipal Museum, Tenjing Financial District lot 03-14, Taiwan High Speed Rail Hsinchu Station, Core Pacific City.

Principal
Shih-Kuo Yang
Principal
Shih-Kuo Yang

Shi-Guo Yang is a Principal in Shanghai Office of KRIS YAO|ARTECH. He received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1997 and the Master of Architecture in 2000, both from Tunghai University. He joined KRIS YAO|ARTECH in 2002.

Shi-Guo is specialized in project execution and detail design. He has extensive experience in overall planning and architectural design of residential and commercial buildings in China. His current participating and completed projects are Zhonghai Zhabei Commercial and Residential Project Phases 1-3, ZhongHai foshan High-rise Residence Phases 1-3, Shanghai Sino Horizon Anting Residence,Guangren Temple commercial district, Haikou seaside commercial district, Gubei Water Town Hangu Villa Boutique Hotel, Yangzhou MSD Project Phase 1 North District Office Complex, Nanjing Shangqinhuai International Cultural Exchange Center and Qujiang Xian Folk Theatre and Boutique Hotel.

Principal
Meng-Fan Yang
Principal
Meng-Fan Yang

Meng-Fan Yang is a Principal in KRIS YAO | ARTECH. After graduating from the Deparment of Architecture, Tamkang University in 2007, she studied sustainable architectural design as an exchange student at the School of Architecture, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden in 2008. She obtained her Master Degree of Architecture from Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in 2009, and joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH Taipei office in 2014. Meng-Fan is responsible for architectural design and project management. She pays great attention to the user needs and executes the projects with innovative thinking. She broadens her knowledge in construction technology by thorough study and research during the design development.

Meng-Fan establishes effective communication channels through her open and rational coordination ability. She encourages her team members to actively take all challenges in design. She has been involved in various project types ranging from cultural, corporate headquarters, industrial, residential, mixed-use commercial developments, etc. Her major ongoing and completed projects are the New Taipei City Art Museum, Han Po-teh Memorial Hall, Tong Hsing Electronics, Tokyo Electron Limited Tainan Office, Linyuan Building Urban Renewal, and Hua-Chuang Linkou Media Campus. She also participated in the competitions of Shenzhen Natural Science Museum and Nangang C3 Urban Renewal.