Recognized on Forbes' list of America's Best-in-State Residential Architects, ARO is a firm known for its collaborative, research-driven approach that unites beauty and form with strategy and intelligence. Kim Yao, FAIA, and Stephen Cassell, FAIA—principals at Architecture Research Office—designed this home for a couple who are avid collectors, partnering with the clients to create a house that not only holds and displays their collection but also celebrates their love for entertaining, cooking, and the land they have lived on for many years.<br /><br />The house functions as a modern gallery, with the main gallery acting as the organizing principle. Inside, 16-foot ceilings and a large clerestory bring natural light onto the collections. ARO’s research-driven process included building large-scale models to study how the clients’ vast collection of antique weathervanes would be displayed. The home's design also celebrates its physical context through material choices, such as a locally acquired quartzite stone that is a hallmark of historic Pennsylvania farmhouses in the area. The architects even worked with Amish craftspeople on the stonework, further connecting the new home to its place.<br /><br />Read more about America’s Best-in-State Residential Architects on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardolsen/2025/08/27/americas-best-in-state-residential-architects-2025-methodology/<br /><br />0:00 Intro: Architecture Research Office Philosophy<br />1:17 The Bucks County House & Its Owners<br />2:18 The House as a Gallery<br />3:25 Design Principles: Natural Light & Local Materials<br />4:45 A Home Unlike Any Other<br /><br />Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1<br /><br />Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:<br /><br />https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript<br /><br />Stay Connected<br />Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com<br />Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes<br />Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes<br />Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes<br />More From Forbes: http://forbes.com<br /><br />Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.
