Clara Zhao of AYON Studio recently returned to her undergraduate alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University, to present research developed for her MSc in Historic Preservation at Columbia University. Her presentation drew from her thesis, From the World to Henry Street: Tracing the Hidden Narrative of Women in Public Health Through Spatial Mapping, which was completed under the advisement of Paul Bentel. Clara’s talk shared insights from her thesis on spatial mapping methods in preservation practice, a topic she presented earlier at the APTNE Annual Symposium.
Clara’s engagement with academic audiences reflects AYON Studio’s commitment to advancing preservation through research, critical inquiry, and cross-institutional dialogue. The presentation highlighted the role of research and analytical tools in expanding how preservation professionals understand historic environments, reinforcing AYON Studio’s commitment to scholarship as an integral part of practice.