ARCH4116 Architectural Design Studio IV – Perform
Target Students BSSc4
Course Term 2
Course Type Studio
Teacher SHINOHARA, Hiroyuki / HO, Jimmy / PRICOP, Ioana / PRICOP, Victor / SALADINO, Nicola / MA, Maggie
ISSUE
Macao in Transformation
Studio 6 is positioned within a pivotal moment of Macao’s transformation. The city, long defined by its unique Sino-Portuguese heritage, now confronts profound urban and social challenges—including extreme population density, overwhelming economic dependence on the gaming industry, spatial fragmentation and social conflicts, aging infrastructure, and significant environmental vulnerabilities—that question its future identity and sustainability of the city.
The coexistence of distinct urban realities is the source of Macao's most pressing issues. Beyond its global reputation as the "Las Vegas of the East," Macao is a city of extraordinary complexity, composed of multiple coexisting yet contrasting urban realms, between the historic "Old Town," the capital-driven "Casino City," and the large-scale modern "New City" on Hengqin Island, generating significant social friction and inequality. The city's economic reliance on gaming creates a volatile social structure, while extreme population density strains housing, public space, and infrastructure. Furthermore, the rapid integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) accelerates these transformations, posing both opportunities for economic diversification and risks of cultural dilution. This unique urban condition raises profound questions for architectural intervention: How can Macao maintain and celebrate its deep cultural roots amidst rapid globalization, urban expansion, and technological transformation? How can the extreme contrasts between these urban realms inspire creative architectural responses without eroding their distinct identities?
This studio encourages students to consider architecture as a performative and critical practice and to address multifaceted urban issues. The goal is to design interventions that respond to Macau's most pressing needs and address its complex social, cultural, and environmental challenges. Through the process, each student will take a step forward as an architect, developing their own unique voice to actively engage with the world and shape a resilient, inclusive, and culturally vibrant future.
