In 1997, internationally acclaimed architect and designer Steve Leung took a gamble that would forever alter the trajectory of Asian interior architecture: the design of a show flat for Symphony Bay in Hong Kong. At the time, over 90% of deluxe real estate show flats in the region blindly emulated opulent, Western classical aesthetics. Leung, however, dared to challenge this status quo. Believing that luxury could be articulated through a cleaner, more authentic lens, he pioneered a contemporary design approach anchored by a generous integration of natural elements. This bold divergence from tradition was not only a massive personal risk but the ultimate breakthrough that vaulted his studio onto the international stage, proving that sophisticated, minimalist modernism could redefine the luxury real estate market in Asia.

 Steve Leung's Design Philosophy

Leung’s passion for spatial design was ignited at the tender age of ten while watching his uncle, a professional architect, draft blueprints late into the night. This fascination led him to graduate with a degree in Architectural Studies from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) in 1978, later obtaining a master’s degree in urban planning from the same institution in 1986. After honing his skills as a building surveyor and project manager, he established his own architectural and urban planning consultancy in 1987. Recognizing that the shorter, more dynamic lifecycles of interior design perfectly matched his creative energy, he restructured his firm in 1997 into Steve Leung Architects (SLA) and Steve Leung Designers (SLD). Guided by his lifelong motto, "Enjoy life, enjoy design," Leung became a pioneer in the industry; in 2018, his firm became the first pure interior design company listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. 

In his interviews, he frequently stresses that the absolute core of his methodology is being appropriate, which he defines as doing “the right thing at the right time in the right context.” He often cautions younger designers against spaces that “try too hard” to make an aggressive visual statement, arguing instead for an understated elegance rooted in nature and cultural heritage. For Leung, the ultimate masterclass in design lies in a sense of restraint, noting that the hardest yet most vital skill to master is simply knowing “when to stop” so that a space can retain its soul, purpose, and timelessness.

Steve Leung x Baccarat: Porcelain and Crystal Collide

In 2024, Leung merged his contemporary Asian aesthetic with legendary European heritage by collaborating with the historic French luxury crystal manufacturer Baccarat to unveil the limited-edition Printemps Bleu Zénith Chandelier. This high-profile artistic alliance was conceptualized to commemorate the monumental 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China (Sino-French friendship). Serving as a brilliant physical manifestation of cross-cultural dialogue, the project bridges the historic gap between East and West. For Leung, the collaboration represents a profound mutual appreciation of heritage, blending ancestral artisanal wisdom from both countries into an object of timeless luxury.

Printemps Bleu: A Harmony of Complementary Opposites

What elevates the Printemps Bleu Zénith Chandelier into a league of its own is its unprecedented fusion of two noble, historically distinct mediums: fine porcelain and Baccarat's master-crafted lead crystal. The design itself pulls directly from a dual heritage, seamlessly intertwining a 19th-century Baccarat archive motif with the striking beauty of traditional Chinese Qing Hua Ci (blue-and-white porcelain). Rather than relying entirely on the standard geometry of clear crystal, the fixture incorporates delicate porcelain elements meticulously hand-painted with cobalt-blue motifs transforming the chandelier into a radiant, floating ode to the awakening of spring. The use of porcelain shades radiates light with a soft earthy hum compared to standard fabric shades.

Originating in imperial China and perfected during the Yuan and Ming dynasties using imported Persian minerals, cobalt blue porcelain evolved from a prestigious artistic medium into a legendary global commodity that bridged Eastern craftsmanship with Western trade for centuries. (Image Source: steveleungdesigngroup)

Steve Leung dug deep into Baccarat's 19th-century historical archives, specifically uncovering century-old sketches originally created for the 1878 Universal Exposition (World Fair) in Paris. This particular archive holds immense cross-cultural significance: when the Chinese imperial authority decided to officially participate in the Paris World Fair for the first time, it inspired Baccarat's European artists to draft unique, Chinese-influenced patterns to engrave onto their luxury crystal vases and trays. Captivated by the narrative and symbolism within these historical blueprints, Leung extracted archive motifs featuring swallows, butterflies, and traditional blossoms. By reviving these precise 19th-century sketches and hand-painting them in cobalt blue onto the chandelier's fine porcelain elements, Leung beautifully reawakened a historic, 150-year-old moment of Sino-French artistic dialogue.

Design inspiration for the Printemps Bleu Zénith Chandelier was drawn from an almost 150 year-old design archive which traces the diplomatic history between France and China. (Image Source: steveleungdesigngroup)

Structurally and philosophically, the design process anchors itself in the ancient Chinese framework of Yin and Yang, celebrating the profound beauty found in the complementarity of opposites. Every detail of the Printemps Bleu Zénith Chandelier reflects this dialogue: the brilliant transparency of crystal balances the opaque, milky texture of porcelain; the vivid cobalt-blue brushwork plays against the stark, pristine white; and French luxury tradition effortlessly dances with Eastern philosophical depth. By breaking down the traditional boundaries of both crystal and ceramic artistry, Leung and Baccarat created a fluid, unexpected masterpiece that redefines how heritage craftsmanship can co-exist in the modern era.