The University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning kicks off its fall lecture series with a presentation from Kim Yao - principal of Architecture Research Office, Friday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the Garcia Auditorium in George Pearl Hall, Central and Cornell NE on the UNM main campus.

Architecture Research Office (ARO) is the New York City firm led by Stephen Cassell, Kim Yao and Adam Yarinsky. Founded in 1993, Architecture Research Office has earned a reputation for earnest exploration and engagement that yields architecture that is original, innovative and imaginative.

Yao, AIA, holds an undergraduate degree in architecture from Columbia College at Columbia University, and a master of architecture from Princeton University. She was adjunct assistant professor of architecture from 2001-2011 at Barnard College at Columbia University and also taught at the School of Constructed Environments, Parsons, the New School for Design.

She has lectured in New York City and abroad. She was a contributing author for the American Institute of Architect's The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, and was elected to the 2013 nominating committee for the New York City chapter of the AIA. She currently serves as an appointee to the New York City AIA's Oculus Committee.