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Michael Wright

1912 – 2018

Architect

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About Michael Wright

Lived 1912 – 2018 (aged 105). Michael Wright was a British architect.

Alec Michael John Wright, CMG (; 19 September 1912 – 26 January 2018) was a chartered surveyor and Director of Public Works of Hong Kong. He was a longtime colonial civil servant and chief architect of the Public Works Department. He was also an official member of the Legislative Council and Urban Council. He was responsible for many infrastructure and housing projects and advocated for private bathroom and kitchen in every unit of the housing estate which is known as the "Wright Principle". He was the founding member and president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects.

Biography Wright was born in Hong Kong on 19 September 1912 into a civil servant family. He was educated at the Brentwood School in the United Kingdom and became an architect. He joined the Hong Kong government in 1938 and began to work at the former Public Works Department. He was interned during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. He was also founding member and president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects in 1958.

In 1963, he became Director of Public Works in which he served until 1969. In this capacity, Wright was also an official member of the Legislative Council and Urban Council.

In 1969, he was appointed Hong Kong Commissioner in London. He retired from the civil service in 1973. Hong Kong Housing Society's Lai Tak Tsuen in Tai Hang, built in 1975 and 1976, was named after Wright's Chinese name.

He resided in Knightsbridge, London after his retirement. He commented on Hong Kong affairs occasionally, including the proposed demolition of the Government Hill in 2012. Wright died in January 2018 at the age of 105.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Brentwood School, Brentwood School, Essex
Also known as
Alec Michael John Wright

People in Michael Wright's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Michael Wright's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Michael Wright?

architect (1912–2018)

When was Michael Wright born?

Michael Wright was born on 19 September 1912 in Hong Kong.

When did Michael Wright die?

Michael Wright died on 26 January 2018.

What was Michael Wright's occupation?

Michael Wright was an architect.

What nationality was Michael Wright?

Michael Wright was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Michael Wright

· Wikidata: Q9061016

· DBpedia: Michael Wright (architect)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Michael Wright. https://biography.guide/michael-wright-architect/

MLA: "Michael Wright." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/michael-wright-architect/.

Chicago: "Michael Wright." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/michael-wright-architect/.

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