Short Bio
Nuno Soares is an architect and urban planner based in Macau since 2003, spreading his practice through architectural design, teaching, and research.
Nuno is the Head of the Department of Architecture and Design at the University of Saint Joseph in Macau and a frequent speaker, lecturer and juror internationally. He was an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong between 2013 and 2020, where he lectured studio in the Master in Urban Design and supervised over 40 master dissertations.
He graduated in Architecture of Urban and Territorial Planning from the Faculty of Architecture – Lisbon Technical University (2004). Under the Socrates-Erasmus mobility program, he developed a Final Thesis at the Faculty of Architecture - Polytechnic Institute of Milan, Laboratorio di Sintesi (2000). Nuno has a Post-graduation in Modern and Contemporary Architecture Culture at the Faculty of Architecture – Lisbon Technical University (2007) and a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Urbanism from the Faculty of Architecture – Lisbon Technical University (2010). He is a PhD candidate in Urbanism at the School of Architecture – University of Lisbon, to be completed in 2024.
Nuno is the Co-Director of the UNESCO-UIA Validation Commission (2023–2026). He has been a member of the Education Commission of the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the UNESCO-UIA Validation Council for Architectural Education since 2014, representing UIA Region IV. He has experience as a member and chair of report groups for the validation of architecture programmes internationally under the UNESCO-UIA VCAE.
He is the Secretary General of the Council of Portuguese Speaking Architects (CIALP), Vice-President of the Architects Association of Macau (AAM), and a Member of the Council of Architecture, Engineering and Urbanism of Macau SAR (CAEU). Nuno is past Vice-President of ARCASIA (Architects Council of Asia) Zone C and past Chairman of the ARCASIA Committee for Architectural Education.
He is the founder and president of the Macau-based CURB – Center for Architecture and Urbanism, a non-profit that promotes research, education, production and dissemination of knowledge in architecture and urbanism, taking local issues to a global audience. CURB is an associate member of the World Urban Campaign, part of UN-Habitat, and a founding member of the Greater Bay Area Urban Designer Alliance. In 2018, Nuno founded and curated the Open House Macau, the first in Asia.
As principal of his office, UP - Urban Practice, he develops projects ranging from the urban scale to architecture and design in Macau and abroad. His work has been awarded and exhibited internationally, at the ExperimentaDesign (2005), Salone Satellite (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), UABB Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture (Shenzhen) (2013, 2015), Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (2017), and Venice Biennale of Architecture (2013), amongst others.
Publications
PUBLICATIONS
Books
Soares, N. (ed.) (2023). Open House Macau - Architecture Beyond Walls. CURB - Center for Architecture and Urbanism. ISBN: 978-99981-927-1-3.
Soares, N. (ed.) (2018). The Inner Harbour Vernacular Heritage. CURB - Center for Architecture and Urbanism. ISBN: 978-99981-927-0-6.
Soares, N. (ed.) (2014). The Inner Harbour – Policy Recommendations on the Revitalization of Macau’s Vernacular Heritage. Center for Architecture and Urbanism.
Soares, N. (ed.) (2014). The Inner Harbour - Background Document on the Revitalization of Macau’s Vernacular Heritage. Center for Architecture and Urbanism.
Book Sections
Soares, N.; Simões, F. (2017). Macao Shaped by Use – Formalizing the Vernacular Customization of the City. In Choi, H. & Pai, H. (ed.) Imminent Commons: Commoning Cities: Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2017 (pp. 66-67). Actar Publishers. ISBN 978-1-945150-66-1.
Soares, N. (2015). Urban Practice – Macau Lab in The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (ed.). CADSA 2015 - HKIA Cross-Strait Architectural Design Symposium and Awards.
Conference Papers
Tieben, H.; Chu, J.; Soares, N.; Yiu, C.Y. (2015). Environmental Urban Design and Planning Rules and their Impact on Street Spaces in Hong Kong and Macau. 8th Conference of the International Forum on Urbanism. 22 - 24 June 2015. Incheon, Republic of Korea. https://sciforum.net/manuscripts/2733/manuscript.pdf
Tieben, H.; Chu, J.; Soares, N.; Yiu, C.Y. (2014). Comparing Urban Rules for Urbanizing Villages in Hong Kong, Macau, and Shenzhen. ISUF 21st International Seminar of Urban Form. 3 - 6 July 2014. Oporto, Portugal.
Soares, N. (2012). Shaped by use. Urban space appropriation in Macau in Morfologia Urbana nos Países Lusófonos. Actas da Conferência Internacional - PNUM 2012 - Portuguese Network of Urban Morphology, ISCTE, July 2012. Lisbon, Portugal. ISBN: 978-989-732-023-1
Magazine Articles
Soares, N. (2009). Shop-houses at 69-81 Rua Ribeira do Patane. AM – Architecture Macau Magazine. December 2009. Macau.
Soares, N. (2005). Landscape project for the Macau-Taipa third bridge north access. Architecture Asia Magazine. December 2005.
Technical Reports
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022). Southern Inner Harbour Public Domain – Conceptual Master Plan. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022).《內港南部公共領域 – 概念性總體規劃》. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022). Southern Inner Harbour Public Domain – Conceptual Design: Zone 01 –Manduco. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022).《內港南部公共領域 - 概念設計：區域 01下環街區》. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022). Southern Inner Harbour Public Domain – Conceptual Design: Zone 02 - Padre António. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022).內港南部公共領域 - 概念設計：區域 02高樓街區》. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022). Southern Inner Harbour Public Domain – Conceptual Design: Zone 03 – Ponte e Horta. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022).《內港南部公共領域 - 概念設計：區域 03司打口街區》. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022). Southern Inner Harbour Public Domain – Conceptual Design Zone 04 – Harbour. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022).《內港南部公共領域 - 概念設計：區域 04海濱街區》. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022). Southern Inner Harbour Public Domain – Conceptual Design: Zone 05 - Felicidade. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022).《內港南部公共領域 - 概念設計：區域 05福隆街區》紙本文件. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022). Southern Inner Harbour Public Domain – Conceptual Design: Zone 06 – Santo Agostinho. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2022).《內港南部公共領域 - 概念設計：區域 06崗頂街區》. March 2022. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2021). Southern Inner Harbour Public Domain – Strategic Vision. April 2021. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2021). 內港南部公共領域 - 策略願景. April 2021. University of Saint Joseph, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2021). The Lotus Network – Masterplan and Design Guidelines for Iao Hon and Toi San Community Public Spaces. University of Saint Joseph, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2020). Contribution for the Public Consultation on the Macao SAR Masterplan 2020-2024. Macau.
Soares, N. (coord.) (2012). Study on Urban Fabric and Public Space in Macau. Architects Association of Macau. Macau.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
The Architectural Morphology of Coloane Stilt Houses: A Computational Method for the Study of Wood-based Vernacular Buildings in Macau
Project Code MF/2022/ACA/02 , funded by the Macao Foundation, amount funded: 78,000.00 MOP
Principal Investigator
2022–2023
Inventário da Arquitectura Representativa do Século XX nos Países e Territórios Lusófonos
CPLP - Comissão Temática Ambiente, Cidades e Territórios (CACTO), CPLP Community of Portuguese Language Countries
Coordinator
2022–Present
Shophouses in Macau – The Architectural Morphology and Local Characteristics of a Southeast Asian Building Type
Coordinated by CURB – Center for Architecture and Urbanism, funded by the Macao Foundation, amount funded: 141,000.00 MOP
Principal Investigator
2022–2023
Macau Villages: Beco da Ostra – Evolution, Community and Perspectives
Coordinated by CURB – Center for Architecture and Urbanism, funded by the Macao Foundation, amount funded: 141,000.00 MOP
Principal Investigator
2022–2023
INTERTWINE Bamboo Pavilion
Project for Art Macau 2021
Funding by the Higher Education Bureau, Higher Education Fund, amount funded: 106,200.00 MOP
Project Leader
2021
Conceptual Master Plan for the Public Domain of Southern Inner Harbour
Coordinated by the Architecture Programmes of the University of Saint Joseph for the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), amount funded: 1,732,500.00 MOP
Coordinator
2020–Present
Património Arquitectónico Notável do Século XX no Espaço Lusófono
Organised by the Cities and Territories Working Group of CIALP – International Council of Portuguese Speaking Architects
Coordinator
2019
XX Pavilion
The Bamboo Pavilion Building Process and Exhibition – Research on vernacular construction methods and their potential for the future development of Macau, granted by the Higher Education Bureau, Higher Education Fund.
Coordinator
2018
Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC) 3.0 Macau - “Density for the common good”
Organised by CURB – Center for Architecture and Urbanism, Macau
Coordinator
2018
Macau Digital Mapping – Georeferencing and Visualizing Urban Data
Project Code 268/2017/A Grant awarded under the “Projecto de Aplicação e Solução da Cidade Inteligente de Macau”, a programme of the Science and Technology Development Fund
Principle Investigator
2017
Investigating the Urban Design Guidelines of the PRD cities Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen
(GRF453312) awarded by the Hong Kong University Grants Committee, Principal Investigator Hendrik Tieben (CUHK), Co-investigator Doreen Heng Liu (CUHK),
Researcher
Jan 2013 - Dec 2014
The Inner Harbour – Study on the Revitalization of Macau’s Vernacular Heritage
Co-organized by the International Institute of Asian Studies, the Institute of European Studies of Macau and the University of Macau with the research support of the Center for Architecture and Urban Studies, Macau
Coordinator
2011 – 2012
Study on Urban Fabric and Public Space in Macau
Research on Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in Macau for the New Reclamation Land Plan developed by the Architects Association of Macau for the Macau Government
Coordinator
2009 – 2011
Street in Portugal – Mainland a Public Spaces inventory
Organised by FormaUrbis Lab – Faculty of Architecture Lisbon Technical University, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Carlos Dias Coelho
Photography
2000 – 2007
Squares in Portugal – Azores a Public Spaces inventory
Organised by the Urbanism Department of the Faculty of Architecture – Lisbon Technical University, coordinated by Prof. Dr. José Lamas and Prof. Dr. Carlos Dias Coelho
Photography
2004 – 2006
PRESENTATIONS
Soares, N. (2022, May 3). Pavilhão de Bambu Intertwine – Preservação, Inovação e Promoção do Património Imaterial de Macau [Conference presentation]. VIII Fórum Internacional CIALP. Luanda, Angola.
Soares, N. (2022, May 24). Uma Questão de Arquitectura: Luz [Radio Broadcast]. Rádio Macau. https://www.tdm.com.mo/pt/radio/program-playlist/400484?tabIndex=0
Soares, N. (2022, March 22). Uma Questão de Arquitectura: Programa [Radio Broadcast]. Rádio Macau. https://www.tdm.com.mo/pt/radio/program-playlist/400484?tabIndex=0
Soares, N. (2022, February 15). Uma Questão de Arquitectura: Público e Privado [Radio Broadcast]. Rádio Macau. https://www.tdm.com.mo/pt/radio/program-playlist/397056?tabIndex=0
Soares, N. (2021, October 26). Uma Questão de Arquitectura: Materiais [Radio Broadcast]. Rádio Macau. https://www.tdm.com.mo/pt/radio/program-playlist/364827?tabIndex=0
Soares, N. (2021, October 5). Uma Questão de Arquitectura: Pré-existência [Radio Broadcast]. Rádio Macau. https://www.tdm.com.mo/pt/radio/program-playlist/360704?tabIndex=0
Soares, N. (2021, May 15). Public Matters: Identity, Design, and Placemaking in Macau’s Inner Harbour[Conference presentation]. Making Place in the Greater Bay Area International Symposium. Hong Kong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAtQLOuFsQ0
Soares, N. (2020, November 25). Reframing the Urban Edge - Design Strategies for Macau x Zhuhai Waterfront [Conference presentation]. The Greater Bay Area Urban Design Conference. Hong Kong.
Soares, N. (2020, October 3). Cross Border Lab: Reframing the Urban Edge - Macau x Zhuhai [Conference presentation]. Manipal International Symposium on Design. Manipal, India.
Soares, N. (2020, August 9). Local Matters - Design Driven by Urban Conditions [Video]. TEDx Senado Square. TED Conferences. Macau https://www.ted.com/talks/nuno_soares_local_matters_design_driven_by_urban_conditions?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Soares, N. (2018, September 27). A experiência de Macau e Hong Kong – Ensino de Arquitectura entre o Local e o Global [Conference keynote presentation]. VI Congresso Internacional do Conhecimento Científico ISECENSA. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Soares, N. (2018, July 4). ASIA URBAN LAB – Comparative Studio [Conference presentation]. DATUM: EDU International Education Conference 2018. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Soares, N. (2018, March 27). SHAPED BY USE - Mapping, Debating and Envisioning the Customization of Urban Space [Keynote presentation]. AIA (American Institute of Architects) Japan CES Lecture Series. Tokyo.
Soares, N. (2018, February 16). SHAPED BY USE - Individual Designs Reshaping the City[Conference presentation]. VI Forum CIALP. Maputo, Mozambique.
Soares, N. (2017, July 16). Architecture Education in Asia – Future Challenges and Visions[Conference keynote presentation]. International Seminar “On Architecture Education: What’s Next”. Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Soares, N. (2017, July 11). Architecture Education in Asia [Conference keynote presentation]. APTARI National Conference 2017. Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Soares, N. (2017, June 17). Shaped by Use - Individual designs reshaping the city [Conference keynote presentation]. CADSA - Cross-Strait Architectural Symposium and Awards. Hong Kong.
Soares, N. (2017, May 6). Asia Urban Lab – Comparative Studio [Conference presentation]. Education and Practice - The Future Architect, Joint ACE-EAAE Symposium in coordination with CNAPPC, ACE General Assembly. 6 May 2017. Rome, Italy.
Soares, N. (2016, March 5). One city two pavilions [Conference keynote presentation]. USJ Architecture & Design Symposium. Macau.
Soares, N. (2015, September 27-29). O ensino de Projecto e o ensino do professor de Projecto[Conference keynote presentation]. XXXIV ENSEA and XVIII CONABEA. Natal, Brazil.
Soares, N. (2015, December 8). Urban Practice – Macau Lab [Conference presentation]. This is my city TIMC Conference. Macau.
Soares, N. (2015, July 14). CIALP Cidades Arquitectura Património na lusofonia – Macau como caso piloto [Conference presentation]. II Fórum da Sociedade Civil da CPLP. Díli, Timor Lorosae.
Soares, N. (2015, April 18). Macau Informal Housing Prototype [Conference presentation]. IV International Forum of Architects. Panjim, Goa, Índia.
Soares, N. (2014, June 18). The Inner Harbour - Policy Recommendations on the Revitalization of Macau’s Vernacular Heritage [Presentation]. Ponte 9. Macau.
Soares, N. (2013, March 16). Macau Figured [Conference keynote presentation]. HKIA Cross-Strait Architectural Design Symposium CADS 2013. Hong Kong.
Soares, N. (2013, December 10). The Inner Harbour - Roundtable on the Revitalization of Macau’s Vernacular Heritage. Ponte 9. Macau.
Soares, N. (2013, March 27). Macau Identified. Reflections on Urban Identity [Conference presentation]. IPOR Seminars. Macau.
Soares, N. (2013, March 12). Macau em projecto. O presente e caminhos de futuro [Conference presentation]. Forum CIALP Professional practice in Portuguese-speaking countries. LNEC, Lisbon.
Soares, N. (2012, November 19). Study on Urban Fabric and Public Space in Macau [Conference presentation]. Workshop by the AAM. Macau.
Soares, N. (2011, November 11). Architectural Heritage - An Essay on Urban Clusters [Conference presentation]. International Conference on Heritage Preservation & Urban Renewal. Macau.
Soares, N. (2011, February 11). From Heritage to Urban Clusters – Architectural Heritage as a Tool for Urban Renewal in Macau [Conference presentation]. ASA International Conservation Forum. Bangkok.
Soares, N. (2010, December 4). Biking in Macau - A Personal View on Urban Mobility [Conference presentation]. This is my city TIMC 10 - Green Grey City - Pecha Kucha. Macau.
Modules
Year 1 Master
This module leads students through a range of design research techniques. It focuses on key aspects of architectural and urban design, emphasizing the synthesis of construction technology, history, theory, and professional practice. Assessment is based on the comprehensiveness of the design solutions, the clarity and quality of the visual materials and student presentations, as well as the originality and creativity of the final project.
Year 1 Bachelor
In this course students will explore the evolution of Macau as an architectural city. The course will be organized as a field-based study of buildings, neighborhoods and logics behind past and current city planning. Special emphasis will be given to the study of world heritage buildings and to what they represent.
Architectural Studio I&II: This module is an introduction to principles and processes; sequence of exercises emphasizing development of basic skills, ideas, and techniques used in the design of simplified architectural projects.
This module focuses on drawing from life. Students review methods of observing and responding to visual phenomena through free hand drawing in an effort to become more thoroughly familiar with the living forms of plants, animals and people. The primary subject for the class is the human form. Students will work with the human figure routinely, but will also draw animals, plants and landscape studies. A variety of media and approaches are taught to help students achieve the control and understanding necessary to produce quality work. Individual and group critiques are used as teaching aids to help students improve their grasp of concepts and techniques.
This module gives students the opportunity to explore clay as a media and investigate techniques used in sculpture. Students will work with clay using hand building, wheel thrown, mold making and mixed techniques. They will experiment with several different types of clay bodies and explore contemporary and traditional approaches in both ceramic sculpture and vessel-making. They will prepare their pieces for firing and glazing. Students will also work with a variety of sculpting methods. Installations that incorporate multiple mediums and conceptual issues are part of the curriculum.
In this module students explore the aesthetics of photography through digital imaging. It emphasizes composition and creative artistic expression. Students engage in the emerging theories and practices within digital imaging. They are expected to critically explore both the technical and aesthetic issues involved in the creation and critique of still digital images. Students will be given projects to further their development as visual artists while utilizing new tools in a creative and conceptual fashion. Course readings, discussions, lectures and critiques will provide a scaffold that will guide students’ understanding of the artistic process involved in creating a digital image. Furthermore, the module will develop students’ understanding of the historical contributions and cultural dimensions of photography throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Digital Photography & Video - LAT203 / LAR221
This module ensures that all students have the conceptual and technical knowledge and have had adequate practice to competently sketch in both two and three dimensions. This module explains the theory and practice of sketching and interpreting views of three dimensional objects, including perspective, isometric, orthographic and other projections and sectioning. It also introduces students to technical standards in engineering drawings, including the specification of symmetry, dimensions, surfaces and tolerances, chamfers and blends, sections and standard parts. Students work through a structured series of problems to sketch increasingly complex objects and interpret complex drawings, including the calculation of feature dimensions based on geometric analysis.
Sketching & engineering drawing - LDS301 / LMD301
This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive introduction to urban geography. It focuses on the restlessness of urban environments and their populations to produce constantly changing, gradually evolving dynamic spaces and places. The module explores the way in which globalization and the city exist in tandem, mutually implicated and reinforcing. We examine the way in which global processes impact on the local level and the way in which local conditions modify global forces to produce distinctive, new hybrid urban forms. The concepts and theories presented in the module are exemplified by relevant case-studies drawn from the global scale. The module will involve three distinct but interconnected elements, each delivered by a different member of staff. The three elements will consider: (1) The idea of city from the classical antiquity (historical and cultural geography); (2) The city as a locus of economic production, consumption and exchange (economic geography); (3) The city and the environment (environment and demography). By the end of this module, students should be able to: describe and account for broad changes in the nature, form, function and inter-relationships of urban spaces over time; describe and explain the attributes, features and characteristics of different types of urban spaces; discuss the changing nature of basic urban geographical thought and enquiry; identify the major approaches to the production and regeneration of urban spaces in the late twentieth century; define and discuss major concepts and ideas (keywords and phrases); and explore more complicated work by accessing resources further embedded in foundation studies.
This module ensures that all students have the conceptual and technical knowledge and have had adequate practice to competently sketch in both two and three dimensions. This module explains the theory and practice of sketching and interpreting views of three dimensional objects, including prespective, isometric, orthographic and other projections and sectioning. It also introduces students to technical standards in engineering drawings, including the specification of symmetry; dimensions, surfaces and tolerances; chamfers and blends; sections and standard parts. Students work through a structured series of problems to sketch increasingly complex objects and interpret complex drawings, including the calculation of feature dimensions based on geometric analysis.
This module focuses on the concepts, theories and methods of design thinking as a process to foster creativity within the communication and media practice. Following a multidisciplinary approach, design thinking uses a set of tools and methods to promote innovation through the combination of multiple experiences and perspectives. A culture of systematic creativity and
innovation is essential in the creation of good design and outstanding communication, and it is contemporarily acknowledged as a competitive advantage to a wide range of activities and organizations as a way to increase both performance and productivity.
Year 2 Bachelor
In this module students will explore architectural design considered as a technological problem; the influence of technology on design; buildings as integrated sets of subsystems.
Architectural Studio III&IV: Continuing development of principles and processes: sequence of projects selected to broaden awareness of design issues at various scales in the urban context.
Architectural Studio III&IV: Continuing development of principles and processes: sequence of projects selected to broaden awareness of design issues at various scales in the urban context.
Students learn how to work with wood and safely operate hand and power tools. The care and maintenance of tools and equipment is also addressed. Students will construct projects of their own choosing, approved by the instructor, and must purchase the materials needed for their project. Rules and procedures needed to work safely with various tools and machinery used in a woodshop will be covered. Possible woodworking projects are cabinets, planters, tables, jewelry boxes, bookshelves, picture frames, etc.
Students will have the time and place to observe, practice and test their learning achievements in areas related to human life. The use of real life situations, scenario building, simulation, introspective exercises and project development and management will create an environment where students will be challenged to question and research the wide range of issues that are central to the emergence and dynamics of life.
Ergonomics is a discipline that involves arranging the environment to fit the person in it, and about the effective division of work between man and machine. When ergonomics is applied correctly in the work environment, visual and musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue are reduced significantly. Also, when work is appropriately divided between people and machines the synergies obtained can create considerable efficiency gains. Students will learn how to follow ergonomic principles to reduce stress and eliminate many potential injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repeated tasks. This is accomplished by designing tasks, work spaces, controls, displays, tools, lighting, and equipment to fit the user’s physical capabilities and limitations. Students will also learn about the relative strengths and weaknesses of people and machines in working situations and how to effectively partition efforts between them.
Ergonomics - LDS303 / LIS238 / LMD303 / LAR209
This module focuses on the ideas and thinking involved in the creation of good design. It discusses conceptual development and design processes and looks at the works of well known designers in relation to their approaches to design. Systematic tools and techniques for stimulating creativity and design excellence are considered, along with methodologies for predicting the evolution of product designs. In particular, the TRIZ methodology for systematic creativity will be explored as part of this module.
Design thinking & systematic creativity - LCM204 / LDS304 / LIS237 / LIS304 / LMD304
Ergonomics is a discipline that involves arranging the environment to fit the person in it, and about the effective division of work between man and machine. When ergonomics is applied correctly in the work environment, visual and musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue are reduced significantly. Also, when work is appropriately divided between people and machines the synergies obtained can create considerable efficiency gains. Students will learn how to follow ergonomic principles to reduce stress and eliminate many potential injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repeated tasks. This is accomplished by designing tasks, work spaces, controls, displays, tools, lighting, and equipment to fit the user’s physical capabilities and limitations. Students will also learn about the relative strengths and weaknesses of people and machines in working situations and how to effectively partition efforts between them.
Ergonomics - LDS303 / LIS238 / LMD303 / LAR209
This module is an examination of the buildings, issues and images, the polemics and personalities that are animating current architectural discourse and practice.
Students will learn about the ideas, problems, and computations related to the design of buildings in response to the luminous and sonic environment.
Students learn how to work with metals and safely operate hand and power tools for cutting, shaping and welding. The care and maintenance of tools and equipment is also addressed. Students will construct projects of their own choosing, approved by the instructor, and must purchase the materials needed for their project. Rules and procedures needed to work safely with various tools and machinery used in a metal-shop are covered. Possible metalworking projects are cabinets, planters, tables, jewelry boxes, bookshelves, picture frames, etc.
This module is an introduction to architectural principles and processes, comprising a sequence of exercises emphasizing the development of basic skills, ideas, and techniques used in the design of simplified projects. It forms a comprehensive introduction to the foundation studies of architecture, addressing the issues essential to the training of an architect. The aim is to develop architectural literacy, improve critical and analytical skills, enhance visual, spatial, and conceptual sensibilities with emphasis on the presentation of ideas, concepts, and present designs in visual and verbal formats.
Year 3 Bachelor
Students will explore the problems and processes of designing building structures; structural investigation for design; codes and standards; design of elements and systems of wood, steel, masonry, and concrete for gravity and lateral loads.
This module introduces students to a range of advanced construction approaches and techniques, and to the issues and technologies that are important when constructing buildings and other structures in environmentally sustainable and sensitive ways, and for managing the ongoing internal situation in buildings to minimize environmental their impacts.
This module explores the basic ideas underpinning modern thinking and approaches to the conservation and sustainable ongoing development of urban areas. The meaning of urban heritage and the value of conserving it is considered, along with the different schools of thought and the most widely adopted approaches to the conservation of the character and ambience of large areas. An important part of the module is considering the conservation of structures and public spaces by giving them new purposes.
Architectural Studio V&VI: Special Integrative year including design issues related to housing.
Architectural Studio V&VI: Special Integrative year including design issues related to housing.
This module focuses on the ideas and thinking involved in the creation of good design and communications. It discusses conceptual development and design processes and looks at the works of well known designers and communicators in relation to their approaches to design and communications. Systematic tools and techniques for stimulating creativity and communications excellence are considered. In particular, the TRIZ methodology for systematic creativity will be explored as part of this module.
Design thinking & systematic creativity - LCM204 / LDS304 / LIS237 / LIS304 / LMD304
This module introduces students to the aesthetics of photography and film through digital imaging. It emphasizes composition and creative artistic expression and the use of computer based image manipulation software. Students engage in the emerging theories and practices within digital imaging. They are expected to critically explore both the technical and aesthetic issues involved in the creation and critique of still digital images and video. Students will be given projects to further their development as visual artists while utilizing new tools in a creative and conceptual fashion. Course readings, discussions, lectures and critiques will provide a scaffold that will guide students’ understanding of the artistic process involved in creating a digital image or video. Furthermore, the module will develop students’ understanding of the historical contributions and cultural dimensions of photography throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Digital Photography & Video - LAT203 / LAR221
This module lets students explore approaches and techniques in interior design and furniture. Examples of interior design and furniture from different genres and parts of the world are analyzed to identify their strengths and weaknesses from different perspectives, including aesthetic, stylistic, cultural, ergonomic and usage patterns. Students also work through a progressively more complex series of interior design and furniture projects, according to realistic client briefs.
Interior Design - LAR211 / LDS306
Macau provides an ideal context to investigate the challenges and opportunities of sustainable urban design and some of the opportunities and techniques that will alleviate the environmental impact of urban development, with particular attention to the Pearl River Delta region. This module will introduce relevant theories, concepts, methods, and tools. Students will learn ways of organizing territorial-based information, while gaining an awareness of the importance of geomorphological processes and related risks. Topics will include the urbanization process, cities and globalization, differentiation and functional dynamics of urban space, spatial economy and land use, cities and social differentiation, urban ecology, urban landscapes, environment and heritage.
Year 4 Bachelor
Students will discuss ideas, problems, and computations related to the design of buildings in response to the thermal and atmospheric environment; passive solar systems, mechanical control systems.
In this module students will investigate and design elements and systems for building structures. Topics will include applied mechanics, strength of materials, structural investigation, resistance to seismic and wind forces and integration with architectural design of synergy of form and structure.
This module introduces students to the electricity, lighting, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, water and sewerage, telephone and Internet, security and other infrastructure and systems that must be incorporated within the design of most buildings. Modern approaches to building management and control and the integrated provision of infrastructure are considered. Specific design considerations, such as building codes, and tools and techniques for designing building infrastructure are examined in detail.
Architectural Studio VII&VIII: Selected areas of specialization; three projects chosen with advisement from a variety of studio offerings that concentrate on different areas of vital concern.
Architectural Studio VII&VIII: Selected areas of specialization; three projects chosen with advisement from a variety of studio offerings that concentrate on different areas of vital concern.
Art - Free expression I&II: This pair of modules gives students free reign to express themselves artistically, by creating works on a structured series of topics. For each art project completed, each student provides his/her own interpretation of the chosen topic, and then students critically review each other’s work.
Art - Free expression I&II: This pair of modules gives students free reign to express themselves artistically, by creating works on a structured series of topics. For each art project completed, each student provides his/her own interpretation of the chosen topic, and then students critically review each other’s work.
Students will be encouraged to recognize and understand the ongoing redefinition of societies as communities and the affirmation of the individual as a person. These capacities are relevant pre-conditions to students as they become cultured and transnational scholars. Students will be encouraged to delve into their learned and inherited cultural traditions to study and develop deeper awareness of notions, principles, methodologies and techniques useful to building family, academic, business, and civic communities that can and should make a difference. Recent research in the new science of networks will help the understanding and implementation of these ongoing transformations.
As an integral part of their studies, all Licentiate in Architecture students must complete eighteen (18) weeks of work internship with an approved design company before they can graduate. During their internship, students must keep a diary of the work that they do, and examples of their work outputs.
This module emphasizes the development of design skills that allow students to organize buildings of medium within a social and economic framework, particularly in the environmental context of Macau. The module is focused on a comprehensive design project, with supplementary design exercises.
Continuing from Architectural Design V, this module emphasizes the development of design skills that allow students to organize buildings of medium within a social and economic framework, particularly in the environmental context of Macau. The module is focused on a comprehensive design project, with supplementary design exercises.
Year 5 Bachelor
Architects, today, function through projects. Project management is, thus, an integral and fundamental area of study for architects. This module focuses on the planning, implementation, control, and progress assessment of medium to large architectural projects. A case approach and action oriented teaching will be adopted and students will need to plan, manage and complete a small project in architecture.
Project management - LIS403 / LBT402 / LBA229 / LAR242
Graduation Project I&II: Students work individually with a supervisor to create an architectural masterwork, relating this effort to an understanding of the marketplace, the research literature and theory underpinning it and the practicalities of implementing it.
Graduation Project I&II: Students work individually with a supervisor to create an architectural masterwork, relating this effort to an understanding of the marketplace, the research literature and theory underpinning it and the practicalities of implementing it.
