Mr. Paul Leese, RIBA, lived and practiced in Hong Kong for over 40 years. He was a much-admired father, grandfather, husband, mentor and friend, as well as a gifted architect and interior designer. A chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Mr. Leese established his own firm in Hong Kong in 1981, having spent the early years of his career on urban design and master planning in the United Kingdom. Some of his highly regarded hotel projects include Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong, Galaxy Macau, and China World Hotel in Beijing. Mr. Leese devoted his retirement to the support of young architects, to his family, and to his beloved sailing club.
In 2024, The Paul Leese Memorial Scholarship was established by Mr. Leese’s family.
Six scholarships shall be granted annually to full-time undergraduate students reading the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies in the Department of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong. The scholarships shall be awarded based on academic merit and financial need.
Hand-drawn sketch, Island Shangri-La lobby. Paul Leese, 1990.
“I like to draw. The drawing board is both my work and my recreation.
Words and numbers are not really my forte – I think in pictures.”
Paul Leese
Interviewed by Hinge, v.9, 1994.
