Fu-Tung Cheng has become internationally known for his sophisticated, understated design and innovative use of concrete in the home. While not an architect himself, Cheng heads a team of architects, designers and craftsmen that create a range of projects-from kitchens, baths, and complete custom homes to concrete water features, sculptural countertops, and custom hoods. For more information on Cheng Design's list of design services, please visit www.chengdesign.com.

Additionally, Fu-Tung — known for his down-to-earth style and approachable manner — is a popular speaker at industry tradeshows and events nationwide. Please view Events for Fu-Tung's current speaking event and seminar schedule and Press for recent articles featuring Fu-Tung and Cheng Design projects.

Evolution of an Artist
Fu-Tung Cheng grew up in Van Nuys, California among a family of artists. His mother was an accomplished color artist at the Walt Disney Studios. The youngest of five boys, Fu-Tung and three of his brothers all found life-long passions in the arts.

Fu-Tung attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where in 1968 he won a junior-year abroad scholarship to Japan. After a year of studying Buddhism, Japanese culture, and the martial art of Shorinji Kenpo (in which he now holds a second-degree black belt), he transferred to the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in 1971. Soon afterward, Fu-Tung began his lifelong practice of T'ai Chi, and currently teaches at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery.

In 1975, Fu-Tung purchased his home in Albany, just north of Berkeley and began 25 year-long "experimental renovation" that continues to define and inform his hands-on timeless design. Fu-Tung's experiments included his first-ever concrete countertop (14-foot single cast piece), working with various industrial materials like stainless steel, used gymnasium flooring, and salvaged steel-frame windows. Fu-Tung's artistic background, cultural and personal experiences led him to many innovative and creative endeavors that followed.

Fu-Tung: Author & Speaker
Fu-Tung's much-anticipated second book, Concrete at Home (Taunton Press, 2005) is finally here — just released in Spring 2005! Concrete at Home vibrantly explores the full, imaginative potential of interior concrete applications. Chapter topics include fireplaces, water features, walls as monoliths, and homes made entirely out of concrete. Concrete at Home is already topping Home & Garden and Remodeling categories in major nationwide bookstores.

Concrete Countertops: Design, Forms, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath (Taunton Press, 2002) is Fu-Tung's first book that has become the bestselling guide on how to build a concrete countertop from start to finish. Concrete Countertops tops remodeling lists nationwide and is a major catalyst in the fast-growing market of concrete in the home.

Cheng Design: A History of Innovation
Fu-Tung heads Cheng Design, a Berkeley-based firm offering services in residential renovations and innovative, contemporary kitchen and bath design. From architectural design to construction, Fu-Tung's custom home projects have been his most spectacular challenges, earning him numerous awards over the years. These full-scale design and architectural projects have given him complete creative license to experiment with his signature medium — concrete — as well as given him an outlet to further extend his artistic expression in other areas of the home, such as hardscaping and landscape design.

After growing demand in the marketplace and design community, Fu-Tung launched Cheng Design Products, Inc. in 1998 as a way to introduce the Cheng Design aesthetic to a broader market. Cheng Design Products is the parent of Cheng Concrete Exchange and also offers two product lines: The first is Cheng hoods, uniquely designed ventilation units for the distinctive kitchen. The second is Cheng's boutique line of sculptural concrete countertops — Geocrete^TM — the model for concrete countertop fabricators all across the country.

Custom-formed or available in pre-designed compositions, Geocrete^TM is an unparalleled series of proprietary, lightweight concrete countertops for the home, kitchens and baths. Created by Fu-Tung, custom ventilation hoods are available in eight distinct designs. The hoods offer many qualities that reflect the Cheng aesthetic: a blend of superior craftsmanship, contemporary minimalism, and organic warmth.

Finally, Fu-Tung has a new line of hoods manufactured by Zephyr Ventilation. Looking to nature for inspiration, Cheng blends natural materials and free-flowing forms to create unique designs never before seen in residential structures. The Cheng Design by Zephyr hood line is ventilation seen through the eyes of an artist and crafted by a company known for superior performance. Together, Fu-Tung Cheng and Zephyr Ventilation are introducing a hood line that will forever change kitchen design.