The American Institute of Architects (AIA) board of directors and strategic council gave New York City-based Architecture Research Office (ARO) the 2020 AIA Architecture Firm Award, which recognizes a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years.
Founded in 1993, the firm is led by principals Stephen Cassell, FAIA, Kim Yao, AIA, and Adam Yarinsky, FAIA. With a staff of 30, the firm’s portfolio includes a broad range of work that has been recognized with six AIA Honor Awards, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Architecture and Academy Award for Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2018, ARO was named AIA New York’s firm of the year.
It is common for ARO’s young designers to participate in client meetings while project directors lead design, delivery and operational initiatives. Since its founding, more than 25 former employees have moved on to establish their own practices, and ARO continues to provide mentorship to the firms.
