Calvin Tsao, a founding partner of Tsao & McKown Architects (1985), is recognized as a leading voice in contemporary architecture and design. His work draws from a lively engagement with a variety of art forms and is dedicated to global interdisciplinary explorations across sectors, regions, and typologies - all in service of an overarching humanistic goal to improve how people live. Mr. Tsao serves as Board Chair of The American Academy in Rome, is an active board member and President Emeritus of The Architectural League of New York, and is a former Vice President for Design Excellence of the American Institute of Architects New York. He served several years as a member of the Visiting Committee to Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and currently serves on the Dean’s advisory council. In 2022, along with his partner, Zack McKown, he received the AIA NY’s highest distinction: the Medal of Honor, and in 2009 they received a National Design Award from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. In 2012 Mr. Tsao received a Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Legacy Award. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Mr. Tsao has taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Cooper Union, Syracuse University, and at Parsons The New School for Design, and has served as guest critic and lectured internationally.
Born in Hong Kong and educated in the United States, obtaining his Master of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate school of Design and his Bachelor of Architecture from University of California, Berkeley. He lives and works in New York City.