Latest news with #FrankLeung
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
From the Louvre in Paris to Hong Kong's M+, finding the art in architecture
There is no doubt that architecture is a creative discipline . Once you factor in the technical aspects crucial to the process, it is even more impressive that art and engineering can come together for a visual spectacle with a civic purpose. Throughout history, there is no shortage of such examples, whether it is the buildings by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona or modern landmarks such as Hong Kong's very own M+ museum by Herzog & de Meuron. Hence, there is no reason we can't appreciate architectural landmarks the same way we would a work of art. Frank Leung, founder of Hong Kong architectural firm Via. Photo: Handout Frank Leung, founder and principal of Hong Kong architectural firm Via and designer of the ArtisTree venue in Taikoo Place , offers a quote from architect Le Corbusier that he likes: 'You employ stone, wood and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly you touch my heart, you do me good, I am happy and I say: This is beautiful. That is Architecture. Art enters in.' ArtisTree in Taikoo Place was designed by Hong Kong architect Frank Leung. Photo: Harlim Djauhar Winata 'That's where I think art and architecture are similar, in that different people will feel different ways about a space much like about a piece of artwork,' Leung adds. Advertisement And certainly, viewing architecture through an artistic lens means one will develop a deeper understanding of the design concept and, in turn, have a better appreciation of the space. Vincent Lim and Elaine Lu of interior design firm Lim + Lu. Photo: Handout 'Traditional artistic critique provides a framework to analyse and articulate the nuances of architectural design, enabling us to move beyond superficial judgments,' opine Elaine Lu and Vincent Lim of Lim + Lu, a Hong Kong interdisciplinary interior design firm. 'By borrowing from the language of art , we can discuss concepts such as symmetry, balance, rhythm and texture in architecture. For instance, the repetition of forms or the tactile sensibility of materials can be understood as deliberate artistic choices, rather than purely functional decisions.' Yung's Bistro features interior design by Lim + Lu. Photo: Handout Leung says factors such as colour, texture, proportions, overall composition, materials and technique – the same elements that help viewers navigate art pieces – are valid ways to critique architecture and interior spaces. 'It's true that not every building or space tries to speak to the people who interact with it. But I believe good buildings do send messages through having deeply considered intents around light, space, materials, and how spaces are experienced,' he adds.
South China Morning Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Inside One Bedford Place, an architect's nostalgic tribute to old Hong Kong
When Lofter Group was founded by entrepreneur Carol Chow Pui-yin in 2012, its focus was on renovating old industrial properties. Now it has just unveiled its first new-build office tower, One Bedford Place, with an interior design that references the heritage of its surroundings in Tai Kok Tsui. And for that, the upstart property developer tapped architect Frank Leung and his design firm, via Advertisement The brief was to create a memorable series of common spaces within the 26-storey tower, designed by Ben Tse & Associates (overall structure) and Axia Design Associates (facade). 'We were really excited to inject something expressive,' he says. Many office environments in Hong Kong are sleek but generic; both Leung and Chow wanted One Bedford Place to look different. 'Carol has always been a big fan of updating what's quintessential about Hong Kong,' says Leung. 'Tai Kok Tsui is a really colloquial part of Hong Kong. So we started from the street – the hardware stores, shop signs, mosaic tiles.' Old-style lift gates feature in artwork that borrows from Stanley Wong's redwhiteblue series. Photo: Han Tang This would hardly be the first project to embrace vernacular Hong Kong style. The nostalgia trend has been going strong for several years now, with renewed interest in classic design elements such as neon, mosaic tiles and metal letterboxes . Leung's challenge was to incorporate all of these without slipping into pastiche. 'Culturally, there's a renaissance, with films, music and fashion that are proud of Hong Kong as it is,' he says. 'But there's a fine line between creating a film set, something Disney-esque, and doing something suitable for contemporary use. It's a matter of degree.' That's apparent as soon as you set foot in the lobby. The first thing visitors will notice is a staircase that spirals up to the first floor from a podium made of gold-veined black marble. The same stone is used for the steps, which are bordered by a contrasting mixture of matte black and warm wood finishes. 'We wanted it to be dramatic,' says Leung, adding that the choice of black was meant to evoke the building's industrial surroundings. Leung's team created installations of vintage Hong Kong-style letterboxes. Photo: Han Tang The staircase anchors a cafe that will operate in the lobby, with a curved black banquette and custom-made chairs of wood, metal tubing and black leather. From there, visitors can take in the other Hong Kong-inspired elements. Copper scaffolding extends across the ceiling, acting both as a light fixture and a reference to the many metal-cutting shops nearby, while also appearing at first glance like bamboo scaffolding, soon to be phased out in the city.
