(Hong Kong, 12 January 2021) Despite the many challenges of 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic uncertainty, Ronald Lu & Partners (RLP) managed to soar to new heights of success in 2020. By putting sustainability first, RLP helped lift Asian architects to the top of the world architecturalscene; with the firm’s capabilities and forwardthinking strategies allowing it to capture several important awards and embark on successful collaborative partnerships throughout 2020. Based on last year’s success, RLP has laid out a similar roadmap for 2021 in elevating sustainability to further empower Asian design prowess with upcoming iconic projects and strategic partnership.
While celebrating the successes in 2020, RLP is also looking forward to redoubling their commitment to sustainability in 2021 by devising and managing even more humanistic, multidisciplinary projects.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our team of over 550 dedicated industry advisors across our five offices for driving RLP’s commitment to design a better life by working closely with our partners and considering sustainability at every level,” says Bryant Lu, Vice
Chairman of Ronald Lu & Partners. “We have proved in 2020 that there is an appetite both within and outside the firm to keep sustainability at the forefront of our designs and collaborations for the coming year and beyond.”
RLP‘s continuous consideration of the long-term health of the communities in which the firm operates was repeatedly recognised throughout the year, gaining it nearly 20 awardsin 2020. The firm also solidified its reputation as a leader in sustainability for the industry through partnerships with like-minded major firms from other industries, including Esquel and Tencent.
As the first recipient in 10 years of the Architecture Firm Award, given by the Hong Kong branch of The American Institute of Architects, RLP was honoured to have been recognised for their contributions to the community – reaching beyond aesthetics to integrate socially conscious design into projects. RLP was also recognised for research that positively influenced and improved the building code in Hong Kong, particularly in the area of public engagement.
RLP was also the proud recipient of numerous project awards in several cities around Asia which recognised the firm’s environmentally conscious design, humanistic approach and unique focus on creating a sense of community.
RLP’s sustainable design for the Chai Wan campus of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) was lauded as being a “Green Connector between Mountains and the Sea” through the World Green Building Council Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance Award (Institutional) 2020. The award highlighted the firm’s capabilities in pioneering green building projects that deliver benefits through a holistic approach to sustainability. With energy efficiency and sustainability having become increasingly vital to modern architecture, winning this significant sustainable design award cements the firm’s reputation for delivering pioneering green building projects.
Meanwhile, at the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards 2020 Hong Kong, RLP and New World Development Company Limited were recognised as the Refurbishment / Revitalisation Team of the Year for the Avenue of Stars and Salisbury Garden project. Being one of the highest accolades given for global architecture, the RICS award recognised RLP’s collaboration with James Corner Field Operations, LAAB Architects and URBIS Limited as they refurbished this Hong Kong landmark into a fully integrated harbourfront destination with rich cultural ambience and unique opportunities for social interaction.
RLP’s founder and chairman, Dr Ronald Lu, was also honoured in 2020, receiving the MITArchA | MIT Architecture Alumni Achievement Award which recognises the lifetime achievements of MIT Architecture graduates. Specifically, the award cited Dr Ronald Lu’s work enabling RLP’s ability to deliver world-class projects and green built environments.
Meaningful collaborations with high-level partners
In 2020, RLP collaborated with partners in different sectors across the building and construction industry, actively sharing insights and research outcomes to raise industry awareness regarding sustainable commitments and humanistic design.
Exemplifying RLP’s spirit of collaboration was the firm’s collaboration with the World Green Building Council on a video series called “Building A Better Future.” Produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, the programme showcased the first zero-carbon
building in Hong Kong, the CIC-Zero Carbon Park (ZCP) and conducted an in-depth analysis of the city’s needs for sustainable building. The programme also highlighted RLP’s early commitment to promoting low-carbon transformation and their support of government initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality in Hong Kong by 2050 and in mainland China by 2060.
In 2021, RLP will remain dedicated to designing innovative projects; starting with the completion of Tencent’s 77,000 square metre East China Headquarters in Shanghai, which is set to become a new landmark for the city. RLP will also continue to initiate partnerships that improve industry standards by instigating even more innovative and sustainable projects and deepening their research-led approach to devising new urban solutions that improve cities across Asia.
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