Stephen Cassell of Architecture Research Office | Green-Wood Cemetery’s Next Act
Courtesy of ARO
Life Beyond The Burial Ground
"I'll plan anything a man wants, from a cathedral to a chicken coop," architect H.H. Richardson famously said. Stephen Cassell has done exactly that—designing a chicken coop, a synagogue, and now comes full circle with a cemetery welcome and education center in Brooklyn.
Green-Wood Cemetery is transforming from an active burial ground into a cultural institution. With art installations, concerts in the catacombs, and educational programming, the cemetery is preparing for a future when burial plots run out. Stephen Cassell and his team at Architecture Research Office (ARO) designed the Education & Welcome Center to support that transition.
The project sits adjacent to a delicate 1890s greenhouse made of cast-iron and glass. ARO chose a deep burgundy terracotta with fine-grained baguette patterns, resulting in vertical fins that catch light differently depending on their angle. The design serves as an elegant backdrop, allowing the Weir Greenhouse to remain the focal point while providing exhibition space, classrooms, and offices for the cemetery's expanding cultural programming.
This conversation explores the strategic decisions behind designing within a landmark, from research in Green-Wood's archives to collaboration with landscape architects. Stephen also reflects on lessons from his years at Steven Holl Architects, ARO's research-driven approach to practice, and how constraints can actually lead to better design solutions.
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“We understand that sites must balance history, memory, and a sense of place with modern facilities, technology and change.”
Courtesy of ARO
About Stephen Cassell
Stephen Cassell, FAIA, is Principal of Architecture Research Office (ARO). He holds an undergraduate degree in architecture from Princeton University and a Master of Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He has twice served as the Shure Professor at the University of Virginia and as the Friedman Professor at the University of California at Berkeley. He has also taught at MIT, Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University, and other institutions. He has lectured throughout the United States and abroad. Stephen is the former Chair of the Board of the Van Alen Institute. He was a Fall/Winter 2023 Resident at the American Academy in Rome and a member of the National Academy of Design.
Courtesy of ARO
Courtesy of ARO
Episode Timestamps
(02:01) Early lessons from Steven Holl on craft and materiality
(03:14) Meeting Adam Yarinsky at Princeton and starting ARO in the early 1990s
(12:21) Green-Wood Cemetery's history, landscape, and transformation into a cultural institution
(18:07) The Green-Wood RFP process and interview
(22:40) Design details that tie into the historic greenhouse and cemetery grounds
(31:17) When to contrast with historic context versus when to serve as backdrop
(33:15) Navigating Landmarks Preservation Commission regulations
Courtesy of ARO
Courtesy of ARO
About your host:
Atif Qadir is a licensed architect and entrepreneur, interested in solving big problems through innovation and technology. He has founded two proptech companies and a real estate development firm, building products ranging from software to workforce housing.
His work has been covered by Technology Review, The Real Deal, Commercial Observer, and Propmodo. He’s also a frequent speaker on the future of buildings and cities on popular industry podcasts and at conferences, including this past year at the Commercial Observer National DEI Conference, Yale AREA Conference, Columbia Real Estate Symposium, Open Data Week NYC and Austin Design Week.
About Michael Graves
The world-famous design firm Michael Graves is also a founding sponsor of American Building. Its namesake, the iconoclastic designer Michael Graves, FAIA was a fierce advocate for people-centric design. His work defines a generation of American architecture and includes the Portland Building, the Humana Building and the Denver Public Library. The 1st season of American Building was filmed live at The Warehouse, his historic home in Princeton, New Jersey:
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