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Lawrence Cheng Visiting Professor, Architecture
  • email lcheng@massart.edu
  • education
    • Bachelor of Science in Art and Design, MIT
    • Master of Architecture, MIT
    • International Laboratory of Architecture and Urban Design, Urbino, Italy
    • Loeb Fellowship, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
  • pronouns he/him/his

Lawrence Cheng is a Principal at Bruner/Cott Architects, an architecture and urban design practice based in Boston, Massachusetts and a former Loeb Fellew at Harvard. His practices focus on urban multifamily housing, community facilities, higher education projects, and reuse of existing historic complexes. Currently his projects include a Passive House certified affordable family housing in Boston’s Chinatown and the re-development of the historic Portland Company district in Portland, Maine, into a mixed-use destination. Prior to joining Bruner/Cott, he worked on projects either through his own practice or at other practices as diverse as museums, market halls, recreation centers, masterplans, and private residences. He is committed to designing sustainable, quality, and equitable environments.

He translates his commitment to socially and environmentally responsible architecture into innovative projects that are sustainable, build human capacity and connection, and promote the wellbeing of both the community and the planet.

In addition to his long association with Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Lawrence had served as design critic and guest lecturer at Harvard University, MIT, RISD, Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute, the Museum School of Boston, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Lawrence has been involved in the planning and preservation of Boston’s Chinatown since the late 1980’s, including working with the city on zoning regulations, founding a Community Development Corporation, facilitating community masterplans, designing affordable housing and cultural facilities, as well as community organizing and protest. He currently is a founding board member of the Chinatown Community Land Trust and had in the past served as board members in organizations such as First Night Boston, the Boston Urban Gardeners, Cambridge Montessori School, and the Boston Society of Architects.

His studios at MassArt support students in co-creating new models in housing, health and wellness, and affordable mixed use initiatives in design.

Industry Experience

Palmer and Turner Architects, Hong Kong

John Sharratt and Associates, Boston

Cambridge Seven and Associates, Cambridge

Lawrence K Cheng and Associates, Cambridge

Bruner/Cott Architects, Boston

Professional Affiliations

American Institute of Architects

Chinatown Community Land Trust

Boston Society of Architects

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621 Huntington Ave,
Boston, MA 02115

(617) 879-7000