THIS IS MY CITY 09

URBAN PANORAMA WORKSHOP

Macau Skyline Architectural Research

This is my City, this is my Skyline
by MovingCities
[Bert de Muynck+Mónica Carriço]
in collaboration with Nuno Soares

Workshop Main Objective

A two-day workshop explores Macau’s urban landscape by investigating the relation between the visual quality and the mental image of the city which is held by its citizens. Using strategies of experimental and empirical field research along Macau’s rooftops and sightseeing spots, a parcour will form the set-up for an intensified collaborative design workshop. By reading Macau “from within” its territory, landmarks and new building geographies will be identified, laying focus on three components of the city's skyline (character, structure, and
meaning).
Through research and design this workshop’s main objective is to understand the potentialities of bringing new types of architectural approaches onto its territory, by reading and interpreting the current state and by projecting speculative designs, so to transform, strengthen and discuss its urban features. The expected outcome will be a “what if” scenario based on a series of optical transformations of Macau's skyline

Workshop Approach
Contrary to common belief, a city does not have one fixed and single skyline, as the urban environment is not a stable entity that can be solely understood from one viewpoint only. A myriad of perspectives determines its image.
By exploring Macau from a unique set of locations, from atop rooftops to other vista points, the workshop investigates what a series of skylines tell about Macau's urban complexion.
What can be read in its horizon, not from outside the city, but from within, and how does this shape the understanding of the city?
How do singled-out architectures dominate the view and act as point of references?
The analysis and effects of physical and perceptible architectural constructions are one of the foundations for city design. The workshop uncovers the role of form in the creation of the city's image. Investigating in research and design the shifting perception of architectural forms, the participants will bring their findings and speculation in relation with the future development of Macau.

Workshop Day Plan

First day - Friday, July 03, 2009 – PART 1 (09:30 – 20:00)

The first day of the workshop focuses on the visual quality of Macau. A tour along several rooftops, which aren't commonly accessible, will offer a multi-perspective view from which design parameters will be distilled. Eight elevated outlooks, in the different boroughs of Macau Island, will form the locations to engage with Macau’s complex urban landscape. Impressions will be registered in the form of photography, video, sounds and sketching.

Second day - Saturday, July 04, 2009 – PART 2 (10:00 – 18:00)

The second day of the workshop focuses on the analysis and design exercise.
Starting with a discussion amongst the participants about their experience, an initial analysis will be made by processing the collected material. The afternoon will be reserved to make a sharper reading and analysis of the state of affairs of Macau and to test a speculative architectural approach to the skyline, focusing on the relation between background and foreground, notions of singularity, form simplicity, dominance, directional differentiation, visual scope and meaning.
During the evening’s TIMC, Organization selected works (only) from the participants will be included in the Urban Panorama Workshop exhibition to be open.
Furthermore, the works will be also included in a live event, which will be handed over to Beijing sound-artist DEAD J and visual jockey Xiongwei, who will remix it in order to explore additional interactive skyline scenario's.

Third day – Sunday, July 05, 2009 – PART 3 (16:00 – 18:30)

The workshop will culminate on a third day encompassing a roundtable discussion with invited guests - including local architects, municipality actors, city-planners, artists - that are deeply intertwined with Macau’s future urban developments.
In this debate, formal dialogues amongst people that participate on the design of the city will be confronted and contrasted with the views and projections done by the workshop participants. The purpose is to trigger a creative debate about the contemporary image of Macau, based on uncovering future scenarios - stemming from empirical rooftop research and the new skyline scenarios developed during the workshop.
All attendees will be awarded a certificate of participation on this workshop officiated by +853 Cultural Association, Moving Cities and Albergue SCM.

Please click on the images to download the application form