Michael Leng joins COX Architecture Auckland
Michael Leng, Senior Associate at COX Auckland Studio.
Having worked most recently with Warren and Mahoney, Michael Leng has joined COX Architecture as Senior Associate and Interior Design Lead in the practice’s new Auckland studio.
Leng says many of his views are shaped by both his family’s migration history and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and he now sees challenges as opportunities for growth and constraints as a catalyst for innovation. “I’m committed for the long haul and am truly excited and focused on the journey ahead,” says Leng.
“For me, the essence of my role revolves around people. I align myself with COX’s ethos of ‘by the many, for the many’ and firmly believe that growth is a collective effort. By sharing our purpose, fostering trust and cultivating lasting relationships, we can achieve meaningful and considered outcomes for the people and places in Aotearoa.”
A project from COX’s portfolio that inspired Leng was 7-15 Albert Street, Auckland. “It was a site I would often pass by, especially during the days when ‘Food Alley’ still existed. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of empathy for the building — once beloved, now occupied by pigeons and adorned with graffiti. The proposed sensitivities and responsibilities put forward by all involved resonated deeply with me. I appreciated the approach and felt excited about the prospect of restoring something forgotten to something to be remembered.”
Leng says he is focused on achieving a practical, people-centric approach to his work, citing collaborations with manawhenua artists, optimising spaces and creating environments that hero ‘culture at work’, with a focus on light levels and biophilic design principles that contribute to our mental well-being.
COX Director Chris Millman says having Leng join the Auckland studio is an exciting development for the practice as it grows its permanent presence in Aotearoa. “We’re fortunate to have found someone with both design excellence and a deep understanding of the local landscape,” says Millman. “Michael’s arrival has already connected us to clients and collaborators with a similar ethos and, together, will help deliver outcomes within the cultural and environmental context of Aotearoa.”
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