Local company wins Silver Award at design competition in France

A local team of architects, headed by Nuno Soares, has received a Silver Award at the 2024 French Design Awards.

Architectural firm Urban Practice’s proposal received an accolade in the Interior Design – Exhibits, Pavilions & Exhibitions category for its design of the Macau World Heritage Pavilion. The pavilion is planned to be constructed behind the Ruins of St. Paul’s and adjacent to the Macao Museum.

The proposal, which aimed to preserve, reveal, display, and promote local heritage, was presented as part of the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s public tender in 2022.

The concept focuses on showcasing Macau as a UNESCO World Heritage City and the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures.

Situated on Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, the building seeks to connect with nearby areas, including historical monuments such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Mount Fortress.

The pavilion, featuring a dynamic façade that allows seamless interaction between the interior and exterior, is designed to incorporate advanced technology and interactive features.

The entrance lobby has been designed to provide views of the Ruins of St. Paul’s and to restore its original layout using augmented reality technology.

In addition to preserving the ancient trees and vegetation, the building would also feature a barrier-free design.

Nuno Soares, principal architect at Urban Practice, stated in a press release, “This approach aims primarily to preserve and highlight Macau’s World Heritage for a broader audience. The selection of materials and technologies for this project is based on sustainable principles and best preservation practices.”

“A key feature is the vertical patio, featuring a ground-to-top wall constructed from local rammed earth—a material historically used in the city’s ancient wall that once crossed the site,” he added.