David Ping-yee Lung is the 2013 recipient of the Ellis F. Lawrence Medal, the highest alumni honor presented by the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts. Lung, BArch ’74, MArch ’78, an educator and heritage conservation scholar, now serves as dean of the faculty of architecture at the University of Hong Kong. He holds several honors and distinctions including the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Heritage Resources Management and Lady Edith Kotewall Professorship in the Built Environment.

UO’s A&AA Dean Frances Bronet will present the Lawrence Medal award on June 17 during commencement ceremonies on the Eugene campus.

“As an architect, university leader, historic preservation expert, and educator, David Lung's professional achievements are outstanding and inspiring,” Bronet said. “He is deeply devoted to his students, his university and his profession as well as his alma mater. Throughout his career, David has pursued scholarship in historic preservation and conservation practices and has gone the next step and guided public policy on a national and international level. We are honored to include David as one of our own alumni who can inspire our school with the 2013 Ellis F. Lawrence Medal.”

Internationally recognized for his scholarship and work in heritage conservation and World Heritage properties, Lung was instrumental in bringing to fruition three World Heritage designations: Historic City of Macao, Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, and the Historic Cities in the Straits of Malacca.

Lung graduated from UO with a BArch in 1974. He received a MArch and a MA in Asian Studies in 1978. He then became an associate partner for Taoho Design Architects in Hong Kong from 1978-1983.

Lung began as a lecturer at the University of Hong Kong for the Department of Architecture in 1984 and was promoted to full professor in 1993. In 2011, he became dean of the faculty of architecture. HKU has recognized him with the Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award (2010), Long Service Award (2009) and Research Output Prize (2007).

Lung was a founding member of UNESCO-ICCROM Asian Academy for Heritage Management, a network of institutions throughout Asia and the Pacific region that offers professional training in the field of cultural heritage management.

Active in public service with the regional government of Hong Kong, he has served as a chair for the Antiquities Advisory Board, Council of the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust, the Land and Building Committee, the Environment and Conversation Fund Committee and others. From 2009-11, he advised the government in securing world recognition of Sai Kung Geo-Park, a unique geologic region of volcanic and sedimentary rocks covering fifty square kilometers.

Lung received the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1994 for his volunteer architectural service rendered to designing housing for the underprivileged elderly. In 1999, he was awarded Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) by the regional government of Hong Kong (HKSAR) to recognize significant contributions to the leadership role he played in heritage conservation in Hong Kong.