The Annual Prize Giving on Friday 7 December was the announcement of the 2018 Newington Medallists.  The International Award was received by Dr Ronald Lu (ON 1962).

Ronald Lu commenced at Newington College in Term III in 1959 and completed his secondary education at the College at the end of his Sixth Form year in 1962.

Whilst a student at the College he was considered “a student of steady application and reasonable achievement.”  He obtained B class passes in English, Mathematics I & II, French and Physics in the State Leaving Certificate examination.  In 1962 he was awarded the ONU Service Prize for Shooting.

At the end of 1962, Ron was offered a place at University of Sydney to study Dentistry, although his passion was Architecture.  Through the intervention of the Headmaster, Rev. Trathen at Ron’s request, he was able to pursue his passion at the University of Sydney.

In 1976 he founded Ronald Lu and Partners (RLP) in Hong Kong.  RLP is dedicated to the delivery of world-class projects across the globe and has become a specialist in delivering super high-density and mixed-use developments in response to the demands of Asia’s fast-growing economies.  Under Ron’s stewardship RLP has become the leading architecture practice in Asia.  The firm has over 600 staff, is headquartered in Hong Kong with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.  Ron’s work has been globally recognised winning many international architecture awards and partnered with the internationally renowned Frank Gehry on his first project in Asia.  RLP is committed to charity and social responsibility, the firm has been awarded the Caring Company Logo for six years in a row.

At the forefront of Ron’s success has been education and sustainability.  He has steered the team at RLP to ensure all their projects create greater economic, social and environmental value.  Over the last forty years Ron has mentored and ensured that everyone with his passion for architecture is provided with the opportunity to do more, learn more, and create more.  He has established the leading architecture graduate programme with universities in China. 

Sustainability and working with limited space in creating buildings that do no harm to the environment is a focus of his design.  Ron lead the creation of the first Zero Carbon Building in Kowloon Bay Hong Kong.  RLP is leading in promoting the sustainable design concept.  Each project looks at exploring measures such as wise use of renewable energy, energy efficient design and technologies, green transport, higher greening ratios, more advanced recycling and waste management measures, to progress towards the long-term vision of carbon-neutral communities. 

Ron is a practising Christian, a philanthropist and a passionate golfer.  He is currently the President of the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Ron, through his work, has been able to lead the way in focussing on education, sustainability and philanthropy in his industry.  This lifelong and extraordinary contribution to architecture and the impact it has on so many people provides an inspirational example of achievement for past and present students of the College.  It is an honour to name Ronald Lu as the Newington Medallist (International) for 2018.