Project Luong: Guided by Magis

The Luong brothers, Alec ’03 and Kyle ’13, have built their lives and careers around the Jesuit principle of magis—seeking God's greater glory in everything we do. Through their architecture firm, Project Luong, they have sought to design buildings and create spaces that serve a higher purpose. Their firm’s motto, “Doing More,” reflects magis and is a constant reminder that their work isn’t just about technical design but the more significant impact they can make.

Alec and Kyle’s time at Strake Jesuit laid a foundational path and taught them not just academically but about living out the core Jesuit principles like magis and Men for Others, which continue to guide their careers. For Kyle, Strake Jesuit taught him to be “Open to Growth” and embrace uncertainty. “It showed me that you don’t need to figure out the rest of your life today! Your career will take twists and turns you never expected,” he reflects. 

Alec recalls the moments of mentorship that had a lasting impact on his life, like when Brother Casey, S.J., tended to his second-degree burns at the end of his senior year and lighter moments with Mr. Carlos Roman and Fr. J.B. Leininger, S.J. Kyle remembers the impact of Fr. Marcus Fryer, S.J. ’00, then Coach Fryer, who was the assistant water polo and swim coach during his junior year: “He always seemed to know the right words for any situation. He became a mentor, a confidant, and a friend, helping shape who I am today. So much so that I asked him if he would officiate at my wedding one day, and nearly ten years later, he kept that promise for me and my wife, Lauren.”

Their shared Jesuit values stayed with them long after graduation, influencing their professional choices in unexpected ways. After leaving Strake Jesuit, Alec’s path to architecture was shaped by 15 years of corporate work, where he grew increasingly discouraged by the industry’s profit-driven focus. “When I sat down to figure out what I wanted to do next, I realized I wanted to create a firm that wasn’t driven by the bottom line. I wanted to create a place where people loved the work they did. Where architects could get into the profession they had always wanted in school but without the imposed realities of running a grinding performance-based business,” he says. 

Kyle’s journey to architecture took a more unexpected route. After studying petroleum engineering and interning across Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma, he ventured into management consulting, hopping all over the U.S. Eventually, Kyle made a decisive pivot to architecture and joined Alec in creating Project Luong. “Our goal isn’t just to do more, but to be there for those around us - our clients, our staff, and our community,” Kyle explains.

Alec and Kyle’s commitment to service extends beyond their clients and employees, including their work with Cristo Rey Jesuit Houston. During Kyle’s freshman year, Cristo Rey Jesuit opened its doors for the first time. Strake Jesuit helped Cristo Rey Jesuit launch programs like Kairos, and Kyle was a part of Cristo Rey Jesuit’s first Kairos retreat and learned about the Cristo Rey mission. Through Project Luong, they aim to create meaningful spaces and give back to the community that helped shape them. Kyle says, “By Project Luong’s third year, Alec and I decided we were in a position to give back more substantially. Alec and I had talked about Cristo Rey and wanted to get involved, which led us to Mrs. Jill Ribbeck (Corporate Work-Study Program Director), a Strake Jesuit parent and mother of one of my classmates, Eric Ribbeck ’13. At the time, no architecture firms hosted students in the work-study program, though the students showed a high interest in architecture. After an initial conversation in July 2023, we signed up to take two students for the 23-24 school year, and this year, we added a third.”

“We’ve always believed that architecture isn’t just about making a profit,” Alec says, “It’s about shaping communities, creating spaces that serve a higher purpose. They’re learning the basics of architecture and have certifications in Revit, giving them a significant advantage in architecture school. Their presence has also been valuable for us, giving our junior team members a chance to mentor and bridging fresh ideas to the office.” 

Alec and Kyle carry a constant reminder of their faith at Project Luong. AMDG, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - “For the Greater Glory of God”- is included in all their work, from emails to design proposals to their website. “As professionals, this isn’t a political or cultural statement,” Kyle clarifies, “It’s much simpler. It reminds us why we do what we do and what is really important in our lives and work.” 

Alec shares a personal story about how this motto has also guided his professional journey. “When I started this company, I had a business partner who wasn’t Catholic. And I told him I wanted to put A.M.D.G. on everything and that it wasn’t negotiable. We set out to form a company that wasn’t just about chasing projects and money. We both had kids and sacrificed a lot to be fathers and architects. I told him I wanted something to remind us of why we are doing this, why we started a company – to keep us humble."

For the Luong brothers, living out magis is not just about achieving personal success; it’s about using their success to uplift others and contribute to the universal good. Through Project Luong, they’ve created a firm that isn’t focused on profits or projects but on building a legacy of service, mentorship, and faith. Whether it’s through their work with Cristo Rey Jesuit, their commitment to excellence in every project they take on, or their constant reminder to themselves and their employees that their work is ultimately for the greater glory of God, Alec and Kyle are living proof that when we strive for the universal good, we can truly make a difference.