About
figMTS is an architectural studio that focuses on design, research and strategy. The studio was founded by Richard Leung who was previously Founding Partner at Generiek.
Our projects ranges from furniture, interior and architecture to urban design and strategy. We believe that clear and powerful design visions have the capacity to carry across and reveal itself through all scales of a project. Like the roots of a fig tree, all the way to the flowering fruits and its leaves; functionally different yet, coherent and inter-dependent.
Similarly, critical engagement with research is a fundamental modus operandi of the studio.
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material
We believe that space and objects and physical evidence are remnants of geological, social, political and economics forces at play. Material reality is the forms the basis of our design investigations.
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theory
The word theory, etymologically derived from the greek word θεωρία(theōría) is what drives our research and design process. Simply put, it is a means in which to reflect, process, and make sense and meaning of the seemingly disparate materials placed before us. This commitment is reflected with our consistent engagement with academia.
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space
Research forms only the foundation in which design can take place. Only through the materialisation of thought into the tangible world can visions in our minds be manifested into reality.
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NYC . London . Hong Kong
Team
Founding Principal
Richard Leung is an architect, designer and artist. He was born in Hong Kong, raised in Singapore, studied in London and lived in Belgium, Switzerland and China.
Richard’s cosmopolitan background ensures that projects are contextually adaptable and sensitive, bringing about a rare and keen sense of objective oversight to the design.
He graduated from the exclusive Architectural Association School of Architecture in London where he received the Eileen Gray Bursary. Prior to setting up figMTS, Richard spent 10 years as Founding Partner of the Belgian/Hong Kong-based firm Generiek. He has also worked for a range of notable offices across the world including Herzog de Meuron and OMA.
He has previously taught at Wenzhou-Kean University in China and is a regular lecturer and critic at institutions including Architectural Association, University of Hong Kong, UC Berkeley and more.
Team Members(current and previous):
Beck Chen, Bruce Zhang, Charlotte Ye, Lorenz Adriaens*, Lando De Keyzer*, Maarten De Pestel*, Peter Hendricks*, Thibault Desmet*
*previously as GeneriekServices + Scopes of Work
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We design and build from concept to execution internationally. From Europe to Asia to the Americas, we are known for our architectural and masterplanning designs that engage thoughtfully with local contexts and constraints.
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Across a range of our projects, bespoke interiors, furnitures and objects have been part of our scope of commission. We believe that a design vision and language that is coherent and potent should extend across all scales. Sensitivity to tectonics and crafts is fundamental to our designs at this scale.
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Tapping into the cosmopolitan background of our founder and our team, we are able to identify risks and opportunities due to this wide breadth of knowledge. We provide quantitative and qualitative research for project feasibilities. With our wide array of contacts globally, we are optimized for project localizations and on -the-ground executions where ever the project may be around the globe.
Recognitions
The practice’s work has been exhibited at various venus including Ravenstein gallery in Brussels, Flemish Architecture Institute(VAi), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Archifest in Singapore. While as Generiek, we were selected as part of the Promising Young Architects programme at the Het Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam in 2019 and was one of 8 young practices featured in the 2020-21 ACROSS series held by Aplus architectural magazine.
Selected Features:
Bauwelt
HART Magazine
A+ Magazine
Divisare
Desired Space
Het Laaste Nieuws
De Standaard
Afasia
Archdaily
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