Chao became a Chartered Architectural Technologist with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) in 2021 and a Chartered Building Engineer with the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) in 2022. His early career in Dublin includes work on large residential developments, mixed-use commercial projects, nursing homes, and landmark conservation schemes.
Since relocating to Ireland, he has contributed to several award-winning projects and undertaken technical design coordination on notable conservation works within a leading conservation practice. He has a strong passion for evaluating emerging building technologies and improving construction methodologies. Earlier in his career, he won a new residential schematic design competition with the local construction company P. Elite in 2008 and has been shortlisted in multiple design competitions within the architectural industry.