BOOK LAUNCH | The Coloane Grammar: A computational approach to the architecture of the wood stilt houses of Macao by Filipe Afonso
BOOK LAUNCH | The Coloane Grammar: A computational approach to the architecture of the wood stilt houses of Macao by Filipe Afonso
12
Jun
The book launch “The Coloane Grammar” will take place on Thursday, 12 June, at 6:30 pm in the Diffuse Bamboo Pavilion at the USJ Ilha Verde Campus courtyard.
About the book:
For too long, the traditional wood-frame stilt houses of Coloane, in Southern Macau, have been notably absent from broader discussions concerning Chinese timber architecture. These stilt buildings, informally constructed by local populations with a distinct material identity, are unfortunately at risk of demolition and replacement by contemporary concrete structures, resulting in a significant loss of architectural heritage. This book represents a critical response to this urgent issue. It meticulously documents the built forms, structural elements, and spatial compositions of these houses, thereby capturing their unique characteristics and preserving their historical memory.
“The Coloane Grammar” introduces a computational design methodology—a shape grammar—that not only analyses the existing designs but can also generate new ones, rooted in the very essence of Coloane’s wood architecture. This adaptive system, detailed within these pages, allows us to simulate non-repetitive new settlements, promoting the development of this coastal area while honouring its traditional design.
This book is a call to action. It’s a tool for students, architecture practitioners, and policymakers to understand, appreciate, and ultimately contribute to the preservation of Coloane’s invaluable architectural heritage.
Join us in celebrating this significant contribution to architectural understanding and cultural preservation.
About the author :
Filipe Afonso is the Programme Coordinator of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies and a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Saint Joseph (Macao, China). In 2001, Filipe co-founded Arquitectos Anonimos®, an award-winning architecture studio with built work recognised internationally.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Computational Design and Architecture (2009, UIC Barcelona), he has been developing a methodology for his architectural practice and academic research that merges the areas of advanced computation, fabrication, architecture and arts. He has been an invited critic, guest lecturer, and keynote speaker at various institutions in Portugal, Austria, Australia, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Slovenia, United States, Singapore, South Korea and China.
Details:
Book presentation: The book will be presented by the author and contributors Nuno Soares, Francisco Vizeu Pinheiro, and Wilson Kam.
Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Diffuse Bamboo Pavilion, USJ Ilha Verde Campus courtyard
Organised by: Department of Architecture and Design of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Macao
Contacts: filipe.afonso@usj.edu.mo
