October 24, 2024

Stephen Cassell, FAIA and principal of Architecture Research Office (ARO), described the principles that guide ARO’s work, methodology, and culture at a School of Architecture lecture following the publication of Architecture. Research. Office.

"From the beginning, we've believed that a radical diversity of work is a foundation to the office, having ideas that cross-pollinate," Cassell said. "Whether it's a boathouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park, or a 140,000 square foot passive house school, or a math building at Brown University, or a football stadium at the University of Cincinnati, or visitor centers like the Rothko Chapel Welcome Building, all this is grounded in looking at architecture strategically and deep analysis into the framework of each project."

Such diversity of work required a practice that adapts as required, Cassell said.

"What's interesting is the way that Stephen talks about Architectural Research Office, that the practice itself is also a design project," said Julie Kim, chair of the School. "That's the way they frame their work. 'Architecture' is creating beautifully crafted spaces that benefit people; 'research' is the methodology, how they approach the work; and then the 'office' is the people that are part of their practice and the culture of the community that they're working with."

"We see our office as the main design project, right? We're always adjusting it, changing how we design as our priorities change or as we grow," Cassell said. "But over the years, we had some pretty clear guiding principles that we've never articulated clearly."

"We used the book to put the principles in writing, and then used projects to illustrate them. At the end, it's really grounded and organized by the principles."