Byard graduated from Milton Academy in Massachusetts in 1957, from Yale College in 1961 and went on to receive degrees from Clare College, Cambridge, Harvard Law School, and from Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture.
While working as an architect, Byard was involved in the renovations of Carnegie Hall, the old Custom House on Bowling Green, the State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division Courthouse on Madison Square, the Cooper Union Foundation Building, and the Villard Houses.
[1] Byard was highly involved in the Architectural League of New York and served as president from 1989 to 1994.
[3] At the time of his death, Byard was working on a book to be entitled Why Save This Building?
In keeping with his architectural interests, Byard directed the historic preservation program at Columbia for ten years until his death.