Atelier Lawrence Cheung

Based in the San Francisco Peninsula, Lawrence Cheung focuses on custom residential new construction, additions/renovations, and historical restorations. While drawing inspiration from regional vernacular forms and natural materials, Lawrence engages in creating finely crafted buildings and interior spaces that have an understated simplicity within the context of site and historical buildings. Lawrence is inspired by the minimalist aesthetic of British architectural designer John Pawson, whose design influence is prevalent throughout the UK, Belgium, Spain and Scandinavia. Lawrence Cheung's family has been in the construction business for three generations. Having spent much of his childhood visiting his father's job sites in the San Francisco Peninsula, he knew he wanted to devote his life to architecture. He enrolled at Woodbury University, and in 1999 he received his Bachelor of Architecture degree (with a minor in Business). Following graduation, he interviewed for a job in rural New Jersey with Brandes Maselli Architects. He spent five years there as a project architect, learning about fine custom home building ranging from the Shingle style to the Georgian Colonial. This was a period when Lawrence began taking an interest in design build. In 2004, he decided to return to his native Bay Area to work with his father's construction company. Through thoughtful contemporary interventions and historical restoration, Lawrence is particularly interested in conversions of barns, farm houses and other vernacular and derelict structures which have been neglected over time. These adaptive reuse projects involve both old and new, rough-hewn and precise, bold and tranquil. He approaches these types of projects like an archaeologist would, but with a minimalist architect's eye. He draws his influence from an array of architects and artists, such as Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, Le Corbusier, Peter Zumthor, John Pawson, and James Turrell. Trained as both an architect and builder for over 15 years, Lawrence brings a valuable asset of innovative design and functionality to each and every project. With an uncompromising attention to detail, he enjoys collaborating hands-on with well-respected architects and contractors alike, interior and landscape architects, and highly-skilled tradesmen from various trades in the building industry.