By Johnni Wong | Feb 3, 2010

Trendsetter of Asian design

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Leung prefers minimal, elegant and functional designs, which incorporate unique cultural and art elements, relevant to each particular project. Lobby of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Hong Kong. .

Q: Does your company still pitch for a job or do clients come knocking on your doors?
SL: We are usually contacted by clients who need interior design for their new projects. Some of them are current clients. Some of them are new clients to whom our company has been recommended. Some of them may find us via different media.

Q: When and where did you receive your training in design? What was the most valuable lesson you have ever learnt?
SL: I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from The University of Hong Kong in 1981. Later in 1986, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, also from The University of Hong Kong.

The most valuable lesson was in time management. I wasn’t the most “hard-working” of students, only one-third of my time was used for study. I like sports a lot (all sorts of sports, such as ball games, swimming, track and field, etc.). I was an athlete in several sports and I was the sports captain. Therefore, one-third of my time was for sports, training and leading my team. Another one-third of my time was for personal interests, including learning French and doing design-related freelance jobs. I wore several hats but needed plenty of rest at the same time, therefore, I realised the importance of good time management in order to succeed in all my roles.

The club bar at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Hong Kong.

Q: What type of projects are you most comfortable working on?
SL: The projects that we are doing are the type of projects I am most comfortable working on. Among all the interior projects in my company, about 70% of them are show-flat projects and 30% are hospitality projects. I plan to do more hospitality projects in the future; maybe that’s because I love delicious food and enjoy travelling.

Q: When it comes to residential projects, do you have a preference for a particular concept?
SL: Actually, I seldom do private residential projects, it’s really hard to fulfil all the needs of different members of a family, and we can hardly try out new design elements for private residential projects (because of both budget and time limitation).

I only do show flat projects for developers. In most cases, our clients give us a free hand in doing the design work, but we try to fully understand clients’ expectation and study the market needs before starting to work on the design concept.

Q: You are said to be moving from contracted design work to developing your own super stylish apartments and restaurants. Why is that? Timing and changing market trends? New challenges?
SL: This is definitely a new challenge, and as I always say, I like challenges. Timing is also one of the reasons, our company has reached a rather stable and mature development stage, and it’s a good time to diversify and further develop our business. Another reason is that, having my own property allows me to implement my design concept in a more authentic way.

Q: You are said to have ambitions to develop your own boutique hotel. Where and what type of hotel would you envisage?
SL: I don’t have a very concrete idea now, but I think that the hotel design would be rather contemporary and natural, with no more than 50 rooms. The location would probably in a scenic setting in mainland China.

Luxury can be expressed in different ways, says Leung. Bedroom for a client's daughter.

Q: Tell us about your furniture line? Where are they available?
SL: I launched my first two furniture series “I-chi” and “Cube” with MAXXA in 2001 and 2003, respectively, and gained wide recognition in both China and overseas markets. The third series, “Ling-Long”, was launched in 2005. The latter represents a crossover of Chinese and Western classical elements which have been reinterpreted in a contemporary design language: a refreshing touch of minimalism.

In 2006, I was invited by a famous Japanese brand “Actus” to design a whole new series, the “Tenchi”, to cater solely for the Japanese lifestyle. I also collaborated with an Italian furniture brand, Former, and designed a furniture prototype – “KAI” in 2008, which was unveiled in Milan International Furniture Fair - I Saloni 2008.

“I-chi”, “Cube” and “Ling-Long” are being distributed by MAXXA, “Tenchi” can be bought through “Actus”, while “KAI” has not yet been launched in the market.

Later this year, two of my new furniture series are to be manufactured and distributed through MAXXA.

Q: Does it give you the same thrill or prestige to be named as the “World’s Best Interior Designer” in the annual Andrew Martin International Interior Design Review for the eighth time?
SL: I’m always happy to gain awards. This indeed pushes and encourages me to move forward and ultimately reminds me to keep striving for perfection!

Master bedroom of a residential project at One La Salle. Leung recalls that in 1997, when he worked on his first show flat, more than 90% of the luxury residences were designed in a Western style.

Q: What would you consider as your greatest achievements in terms of being a trendsetter in Asian contemporary interior design?
SL: I remember in 1997, when I worked on my first show flat, more than 90% of the (luxurious) show flats were designed in Western classical style. However, luxury can be expressed in different ways, and along with the development of the society, Hong Kong people became better educated and sophisticated. The younger generation was looking for something modern and new in their homes. Therefore, when designing the show flat, I tried to use a contemporary approach, with the adoption of natural elements. It was new to the market, but it was unexpectedly well-received. Nowadays, Western classical design does not dominate the Hong Kong residential design scene.

Of course, modern design was not initiated by me, but, thanks to the support of the client, I’m happy that I could successfully introduce and implement the new design approach in Hong Kong.

Q: As a designer, are you satisfied with what you have already achieved? Why?
SL: I treasure and am happy with what I’ve already achieved, but I’m not really satisfied as such as that implies completion. I chose design as my life-long career because I enjoy design and I still do. I always look forward to doing my next job and hope to have breakthroughs in every aspect of my career.