Placemaking
Culture & Civic
China Construction Engineering (Macau) Company Limited
Preserving Macao’s cultural heritage while embracing modern urban renewal required a careful balance between historical authenticity and contemporary design. The murals needed to resonate with both locals and visitors, capturing the city’s rich past while contributing to its evolving identity.
Benoy collaborated with student interns, guiding them through the design process under the mentorship of senior designers. The concepts drew inspiration from Macao’s Chinese-Portuguese cultural fusion, blending tradition with modern artistic expression. Playful elements reflecting Macao’s leisure and entertainment industry were incorporated to enhance engagement and storytelling.
Rooftop Mural Highlights
• Dragon Dance Across Rooftops: A majestic dragon unites the buildings, symbolizing Macau’s Chinese-Portuguese heritage.
• Lion Dance & M8 Scroll: A vibrant lion dance with an “M8” scroll ties the artwork to its location, celebrating prosperity.
• Portuguese Guitar & Roosters: A fusion of East and West, featuring a guitar with “Benoy” and roosters symbolizing faith and fortune.
• Festive Colors & Fireworks: Bold colors and fireworks capture Macau’s lively spirit.
• Chess & Community Traditions: Life-sized chess pieces and Xiangqi scenes reflect local culture and leisure.
• Dance, Attire & Architecture: Traditional dances, costumes, and architectural motifs tell Macau’s multicultural story.
The final murals now enrich the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre, offering a vibrant new layer to Macao’s evolving cityscape. The project has strengthened community connections to the city’s cultural legacy and provided a fresh, Instagrammable landmark visible from key locations like M8 Macao.
