
Kris Yao, Hon. FAIA
Kris Yao is the founder of KRIS YAO | ARTECH, an Asia-based architectural firm with office in Taipei and Shanghai. He obtained a Bachelor of Architecture from 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.
In 2014, Mr. Yao was awarded the prestigious Honorary Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects. 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."
Mr. Yao's portfolio presents the richness and variety of his architectural practice. His works are often published in international architectural magazines and professional journals. He has also participated in many international architectural exhibitions, including the Venice Architecture Biennale. His recent solo exhibition "Within.Without" was held in MoCA, Shanghai in 2016.

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.。

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 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.

Kris Yao, Hon. FAIA
Kris Yao is the founder of KRIS YAO | ARTECH, an Asia-based architectural firm with office in Taipei and Shanghai. He obtained a Bachelor of Architecture from 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.
In 2014, Mr. Yao was awarded the prestigious Honorary Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects. 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."
Mr. Yao's portfolio presents the richness and variety of his architectural practice. His works are often published in international architectural magazines and professional journals. He has also participated in many international architectural exhibitions, including the Venice Architecture Biennale. His recent solo exhibition "Within.Without" was held in MoCA, Shanghai in 2016.

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.。

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 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.
TAIPEI



- Senior Principal
Jun-Ren Chou
Senior PrincipalJun-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
Naiwen Cheng
Senior PrincipalNaiwen Cheng
Naiwen Cheng, is a Senior Principal 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.
- Senior Principal
Chien-Yi Wu
Senior PrincipalChien-Yi Wu
Chien-Yi Wu is a Senior Principal 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.
- Principal
Tien-Yu Lo
PrincipalTien-Yu Lo
Tien-Yu Lo is a Principal in KRIS YAO | ARTECH. He is a graduate of the Nanya Institute of Technology's Department of Architecture. He joined KRIS YAO | ARTECH in 2004 as a construction inspector. Tien-Yu specializes in coordination between construction and design intent, and is always able to successfully execute the original design into reality and completion.
With focuses on the construction management and construction inspection, Tien-Yu has a strong respect for design and strives to resolve any technical issues. His current participating and complete projects include Taipei Performing Arts Center, New Taipei Museum of Art, Palace Museum, Southern Branch, Pingtung Performing Arts Center, HTC Taipei Headquarters, Lanyang Museum, Ching Shin Elementary & Middle School, The Cypress Court, Shih Chien University Gymnasium and Library, Chiao Tung University Guest House, Guangren Catholic Elementary School and Taipei Banking Center.
- Principal
Winnie Wang
PrincipalWinnie Wang
Winnie Wang is a 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.
- Principal
Meng-Fan Yang
PrincipalMeng-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.
SHANGHAI




- Technical Director
Chu-Yi Hsu
Technical DirectorChu-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
PrincipalShih-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.