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As cities continue to grow at an unprecedented rate, the need for efficient land use becomes even more critical. Mixed Use Architecture is essential for modern cities because of its efficiency in using land that is prevalent in the rapid urbanization we are facing today. Mixed-use development offers numerous advantages for communities and serves as a crucial approach in attaining sustainable ecosystems (Woo and Cho, 2018). Land scarcity in Macau has made mixed-use architecture essential to city expansion. Mixed-use developments in Macau typically consist of combination of housing and commercial towers, casino and hotel complexes and office buildings. This has improved land use in the city. However, these developments, however, unappetizing living conditions resulting sick building syndrome to its residents. The research question identified and addressed in this study is: How can Mixed Use Architecture respond to the underlying problems Urbanisation has brought? Based on this question, this dissertation develops a new type prototype for mixed use architecture that to resolve the issues prevalent in the current mixed use architecture models using Macau as context for this prototype. This study challenges traditional architecture and uses innovative approaches stemming from biophilic strategies and industry leading green technologies that improve quality of life and the environment. This study proposes a novel solution to urbanization's problems such Sick Building Syndrome, high population density, and land scarcity. This dissertation suggests a space-efficient architecture to meet the needs of rising populations and land scarcity while prioritizing resident well-being.

Macau, as a densely populated city, has been facing a prominent challenge in fulfilling the rapidly growing demand for land due to its small geographical size. The limited availability of land exacerbates the conflict between urban development needs and land supply, leading to an imbalance in land resource allocation. This scarcity of land not only hinders the city's ability to meet its growing population's housing needs but also contributes to a lack of social space. The absence of adequate outdoor gathering areas and communal spaces has resulted in the fragmentation of communities and a fading sense of community in the society of Macau. As the urban environment undergoes relentless development, the social fabric of Macau is undergoing a transformation. Communities are becoming fragmented into smaller groups, and chance encounters and serendipitous social interactions are being neglected or excluded. Social events primarily take place within dedicated indoor spaces that cater to groups, further isolating different segments of the population due to the limited and subpar outdoor gathering space available. This dissertation aims to examine the possibility of developing a new housing prototype that could provoke connections between segregated communities. By introducing a combination of communal spaces and vertical circulation spaces, the design seeks to create opportunities for social interaction and the revitalisation of community bonds that could eventually fit into a hyperdense city. To achieve this, the dissertation will begin with a comprehensive site analysis of the site, considering both the physical constraints and the potential benefits for social space creation. Furthermore, the study will draw insights from relevant literature and architectural projects that have addressed relevant challenges, exploring effective strategies for fostering community engagement and creating inclusive social spaces. The design process will emphasise the integration of communal spaces that encourage spontaneous interactions and vertical circulation spaces that facilitate movement and connectivity between different community segments.

Cantonese opera has a long and profound history and has evolved over 700 years, making it unique and distinctive. In a diversified media and entertainment, Cantonese opera culture in Macao, like many other aspects of traditional Chinese cultures, is facing a general decline. Specific challenges include loss of audience, the decline and disintegration of professional groups, and reduced scope of the active repertoire. How can a new venue for traditional Cantonese opera promote a positive response to the contemporary challenges that threaten its cultural vitality? How can a new design approach respond to local issues and contemporary architectural production? Can programmatic diversification of a performance venue (cultural exchange, art display, education) be a useful strategy? This thesis consists of five parts. Part 1 of this thesis outlines the background of research, describes the purpose and significance of the research, and deal with issues of research method. Part 2 considers the artistic characteristics of Cantonese opera, including the spatial characteristics of traditional Cantonese opera theatres, the characteristics of Cantonese opera costumes, and the changing characteristics forms of performance. Part 3 is focused on the uses of parametric models in architectural design. Part 4 offers three case studies of opera houses in China, the Guangzhou Opera House, the Harbin Grand Theatre, and the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong. Part 5, the core of this thesis, proposes a design of a new performance venue for Cantonese Opera House in Macao. Overall, this thesis offers an account of main considerations in the transformation process from traditional Cantonese opera venues to modern Cantonese opera houses and situates these considerations in the context of contemporary discussions of parametric architecture

Traditional malls often suffer from isolated and inward-focused designs that disconnect them from their urban surroundings, hindering pedestrian integration and community engagement. This dissertation addresses these issues by exploring the concept of integrating streets and malls to create a more cohesive and vibrant urban environment. The research examines contemporary architectural approaches that emphasize seamless connections between exterior streets and mall interiors, blurring the lines to foster social interaction and enhance walkability. Central to this study is an architectural design project that illustrates the practical application of these concepts. Through a detailed analysis of urban design principles and case studies of successful integrated malls, this research investigates the potential benefits and challenges of such integration. The design project provides a tangible example of how thoughtful interventions can activate public spaces, promote pedestrian flow, and cultivate a strong sense of place. The research highlights best practices and achievements in the area of integrated mall designs, offering valuable insights for urban planners, architects, and stakeholders involved in mall and urban space development. Findings suggest that integrating streets and malls can lead to improved community engagement and create more vibrant urban destinations that meet the specific needs and aspirations of the local community. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of how these designs can enhance urban vitality, iii pedestrian activity, and social interaction. Future research could focus on additional case studies or pilot projects to further implement and evaluate this approach in different contexts, providing practical insights and refining the understanding of its benefits and challenges. By reimagining the traditional mall structure and its relationship with the urban environment, this dissertation contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable and inclusive urban development, proposing strategies that make urban retail spaces more responsive to contemporary needs. 傳統購物中心常常受到孤立和內向設計的困擾，這些設計使它們與城市環境脫節，阻礙了行人融入和社區參與。本論文透過探索整合街道和購物中心的概念來解決這些問題，以創造一個更有凝聚力和活力的城市環境。該研究探討了當代的建築方法，強調外部街道和購物中心內部之間的無縫連接，模糊界限以促進社會互動並增強步行能力。這項研究的核心是一個建築設計項目，它說明了這些概念的實際應用。透過對城市設計原則的詳細分析和成功綜合購物中心的案例研究，本研究探討了這種整合的潛在好處和挑戰。這個設計計畫提供了一個具體的例子，說明深思熟慮的干預措施如何激活公共空間、促進人流並培養強烈的地方感。該研究重點介紹了綜合購物中心設計領域的最佳實踐和成就，為參與購物中心和城市空間開發的城市規劃者、建築師和利益相關者提供了寶貴的見解。研究結果表明，整合街道和購物中心可以提高社區參與度，創造更有活力的城市目的地，滿足當地社區的特定需求和願望。這項研究對這些設計如何增強城市活力、行人活動和社會互動進行了全面分析。未來的研究可以專注於其他案例研究或試點項目，以在不同的背景下進一步實施和評估這種方法，提供實用的見解並加深對其好處和挑戰的理解。透過重新構想傳統的購物中心結構及其與城市環境的關係，本論文為可持續和包容性城市發展的持續討論做出了貢獻，提出了使城市零售空間更能滿足當代需求的策略。

In a fast-paced and densely populated city, community activity centers can provide a social place for residents. This thesis is a study of this promise of social life for a new urban development in Macau. Community centers play an important role in promoting community cohesion and resident participation. Yet, public space for Macau residents is increasingly unable to meet growing and diversified needs. In what ways can the development of activity centers improve the quality of life of residents? Can transitional spaces between different functional areas in community centers play a more effective role in promoting social interaction within the community? The principal tasks of this thesis are as follows: (1) an in-depth examination of the impact of shared transitional spaces on the overall design of community activity centers, (2) a discussion of transitional spaces in community centers in terms of the functional efficiency of these centers and the interactive experience of users, and (3) articulation of principles and recommendations for the design of transitional spaces in community centers. Overall, this thesis argues that, by designing efficient and user-friendly shared transitional spaces, architects can better serve the community and its users, and foster a closer connection between architecture, people, and communities

Markets in Macau are not merely places for commercial retail, they are also social spaces. As a centre of communal life, markets are of great significance to the lives of Macau residents. However, with the rise of supermarkets and online shopping, the role of traditional markets has been reduced. At the same time, the messy and unkempt nature of traditional markets has become a negative factor of their social viability. The result has been a downward spiral of poor operation, decline in rental yield and loss of customers. Can the markets be revitalized for Macau residents? Can the social attributes of markets be reactivated? How can the experience of markets be re-imagined for different user groups? The present thesis is organized into 5 parts. The first part deals with the background of research. It also describes the purpose and significance of the research and discusses research methodology. The second part details market pressures in Macau, including insufficient land and space resources, poor sanitary environment, and tourism promotion needs. The third part examines the idea of “walkable cities” in terms of four concerns—usefulness, safety, comfort, and spatial interest—and in terms of specific case studies. The fourth part concerns a design project for a market at ZONE A in Macau. The thesis details the needs of a market in this zone and considers them in the light of the idea of walkable cities. Overall, this thesis attempts to contribute to public discussion of the future of markets in Macau in terms of service, socialisation and promotion

This dissertation explores the concept of a topographic shopping mall in Macau inspired by the region's mountainous landscapes and its potential to integrate nature within urban environments. As consumer preferences increasingly shift towards sustainable and health- oriented experiences, the incorporation of nature-inspired design principles emerges as a critical response to these demands. This study investigates how blending natural elements— such as local flora, organic forms, and water features—can enhance the shopping experience, fostering a deeper connection between individuals and their environment. The research addresses key questions regarding the effective integration of nature-inspired design in commercial architecture, the impact of these elements on user experience and well-being, and their influence on economic performance. By examining existing design strategies and their effects on visitor satisfaction, this dissertation aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the benefits associated with nature-inspired retail environments. Ultimately, the findings highlight the importance of creating biophilic spaces that not only fulfill practical needs but also promote health and a sense of community, positioning the topographic shopping mall as a potential model for future commercial developments.

Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China, is an impressive destination known for its unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese influences. With a history dating back centuries, Macau’s architecture tells the story of its rich former times. In recent years, Macau has faced a growing challenge due to its status as an overpopulated city. With limited land resources and a rapidly increasing population, there is a critical need to create additional spaces that cater to the intellectual and cultural development of its residents. Due to the increasing demand on housing, most of the available land is currently occupied and in consequence of that, the government had no choice but to develop innovative and expanding solutions. They established a ‘’reclamation area”, which is a land built from scratch that has the purpose of relieving the tension of insufficient land with entertaining facilities that can gather and attract communities. On this dissertation will concentrate on the social-educational aspects of the new Zone A development. The libraries will act as a focal center for all future residents in zone A, The fact that libraries are changing and becoming more than just places for preserving books is a major problem. It is important to think of the library as a multifunctional place that can accommodate not just traditional study spaces but also collaborative work, the development of digital media, events, and social gatherings in response to the evolving demands of the community, above all, the library should be the center for all the community involvement. Also would be used as a prototype to test this new form of library that explores the benefits and feasibility of implementing additional libraries and unusual architectural spaces in Macau while integrating them with other recreational facilities. Macau, known for its thriving tourism and entertainment industry, currently faces a scarcity of public spaces that promote intellectual and leisure activities. This study investigates the potential advantages of the implementation of recreation facilities that have the potential to meet the diverse needs of the community. To conclude, the implementation of more recreational facilities within libraries in Macau holds significant benefits for both residents and tourists. By combining these two elements, libraries can evolve into dynamic community hubs that fulfil a wide range of needs and interests.

Traditional healthcare typically focuses on the treatment of illness and medical consultations (TAHIRU, 2021). However, new generations of health centers are moving beyond this traditional model. Nowadays, it has shifted to prioritizing preventive care, such as wellness programs, fitness classes, mental health support services and leisure activities to promote healthy lifestyles (Marizahn, 2020). Hence, this research focuses on exploring how an integrated health center approach could address the mental health challenges of youth in Macao.

In the age of the information society, the prominence of internet communication and social media has meant that the role of face-to-face encounters in public life has been diminished. This trend has been exacerbated by public health concerns in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. The social role of architecture and its contribution to the sustainability of interpersonal relationships has become a significant issue for architects. As a place to accommodate sporting activities and social space in the community, sports centers play an important role in promoting social cohesion and interaction. This is the focal topic of the present thesis. The principal tasks of this thesis are as follows: (1) This thesis collects and studies relevant literature on sports centers as social spaces. A special emphasis is placed on discussions of social spaces. The intention is to articulate design characteristics of community sports centers that merit further exploration. (2) This thesis selects three representative sports facilities as case studies and considers how they promote the formation of social bonds and interactions. The thesis offers a review of design ideas, planning strategies and specific methods of implementation. (3) This thesis takes the design project for a sports center in New District A in Macau as an example, and puts forward a design strategy of ""vertical intensification + shared application"". This strategy aims to promote the integration of the sports center with the urban environment, while creating a flexible public space that can adapt to the needs of spontaneous and social activities. The intention is to make the sports center a place that promotes community interaction and connectivity. Overall, this thesis argues that community sports centers can become important places to promote social interaction through well-designed architectural space. Specific design factors and strategies explored in this thesis provide useful points of reference for architects. Through on-going processes of optimization and innovation, sports centers can better serve the community of Macau