June 25th, 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Green-House at Green-Wood
Stephen Cassell, FAIA, is Principal of Architecture Research Office (ARO). He has taught at MIT, Columbia University, Harvard University, The University of Virginia, the University of California at Berkeley, Princeton University, and other institutions. Stephen was elected to the National Academy of Design, received the Architecture Award from the American Academy of Arts & Letters, and was a Bernoudy Architect-in-Residence at the American Academy in Rome.
Meera Joshi is the President of Green-Wood Cemetery, where she is building on Green-Wood’s legacy as a historic landmark, public space, cultural institution, and climate resiliency hub. She previously served as NYC’s Deputy Mayor for Operations, overseeing the City’s infrastructure, public realm, and climate portfolio. As Deputy Mayor, Joshi focused on expanding open space, reducing emissions, and protecting New Yorkers from the impacts of climate change while ensuring the City’s infrastructure and foundational services are strong and reliable.
Kim Yao, FAIA, is Principal of Architecture Research Office (ARO). She has taught at Cornell University, MIT, Columbia University, Parsons the New School for Design, and Barnard College. Kim was elected to the National Academy of Design (NAD) and serves as a member of the NAD Board of Governors. She was President of AIA New York (AIANY) in 2020, serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Center for Architecture, and has been recognized with the AIANY Medal of Honor and the Beverly Willis Foundation Mentorship Award.
Join us for a tour of The Green-House at Green-Wood with Stephen Cassell, Meera Joshi, and Kim Yao
Green-Wood Cemetery is one of Brooklyn’s oldest public institutions, a historic landscape that predates Prospect Park and serves as the final resting place for more than 580,000 people. The new Green-House, designed by Architecture Research Office, brings a visitor center, exhibition hall, classrooms, and a renovated 19th-century greenhouse to a busy corner of Sunset Park and South Slope. The project balances preservation, public programming, and new architecture to make a historic burial ground a more active part of neighborhood life.
As cities look to historic institutions as anchors for public life, what does it mean to expand access to spaces that have long held the memories of a city?
Guest & Accessibility Policies
Urban Design Forum promotes conversations between invited civic leaders, designers, developers, and advocates. This event is open to Forum Members only.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.
- This event includes a tour and requires walking.
- If you’re not feeling well, please stay home. Face masks are encouraged, particularly if you have been recently exposed to colds, flus, or other illness. If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, a high-quality, well-fitting face covering is required at all times.
- Please refrain from wearing strong fragrances to accommodate guests with allergies or environmental sensitivities.
- If you have additional needs, we will do our best to accommodate. Please contact rsvp@urbandesignforum.org.
Continuing Education
This event has been submitted for both AICP and AIA CES LU.
About Public Works
Public Works is a discussion series to drive civic dialogue around new and forthcoming built environment projects in New York City. Throughout the year, we invite government officials and private sector leaders to present design and development initiatives that shape the public good. Our goal is to create an open and collegial venue for deeper conversation between the public sector and our network of civic leaders building, caring for, and maintaining our city.
Support Our Work
Public Works is made possible through the support of our Board of Directors, Director’s Circle, Company Members, and our Campaign for Courageous Leadership, and company and individual members. Our programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
To learn more about supporting Public Works, please contact Miranda Bellizia, miranda@urbandesignforum.org.
Image Credit: Rafael Gamo. Courtesy of Architecture Research Office.
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