Tag: Posters Labourmap

01

Materials & Systems

The church was first built in 1558 using thatch and bamboo. Inside, the church features a brick and wood structure with oval wooden vaults and a sloped roof. The layout includes a rectangular central hall with walls divided by pilasters. The interior is painted yellow and adorned with white, highlighted by a grand white main altar, large chandeliers, and colorful stained-glass windows, creating a romantic atmosphere. The front facade is in neoclassical style, while the altar showcases Baroque design with intricate details.

02

Workers & Skills

St. Anthony’s Church was built and maintained by a variety of skilled workers. Architects designed the layout, ensuring beauty and stability. Stonemasons constructed the stone walls, while carpenters built the wooden structures, including the roof. Painters added yellow and white paint, enhancing the church’s charm. Glaziers created stained glass windows for color, and restoration experts repaired fire damage, keeping the church historically accurate.

01

Materials & Systems

There is only limited information about the materials and systems of the Taipa Houses, but there are some insights and data from construction practices in Macau. Roofs were made from terracotta roof tiles, typically used in Portuguese architecture; not only are they aesthetically pleasing but they also have a rather long durability, resistant to strong winds or rain. The pillars and arches could have been built by using slabs and woods or concrete due to the width. At the time the Taipa Houses were being renovated, traditional practices were used, as well as materials that are compatible with the existing structures to avoid further damage.

02

Workers & Skills

Considering that Macau was still under Portuguese administration while the Taipa Houses were established in 1921, it is most likely that some Portuguese authorities had overseen the construction project. This could mean that Portuguese engineers, architects, and laborers were involved in the construction of the Taipa Houses, although the actual or most of the construction could be carried out by Chinese laborers. This is due to the fact that Macau was colonised and there was a Chinese labor dominance in construction during that period in other countries. Other than that, there should be masons involve, workers who are skilled and responsible for masonry construction.

01

Materials & Systems

The Guia Lighthouse is primarily constructed from locally sourced stone and brick, materials chosen for their durability and ability to withstand the harsh marine environment. The use of these materials reflects the architectural practices of the 19th century, particularly the influence of Portuguese colonial style, which emphasized both functionality and aesthetics. The cylindrical design of the lighthouse not only provides structural integrity but also allows for efficient wind resistance, ensuring stability during storms. The combination of durable materials and advanced lighting systems ensures that the Guia Lighthouse remains a critical navigational aid while standing as a historical landmark that reflects the maritime heritage of Macau.

02

Workers & Skills

The construction of the Guia Lighthouse required skilled stonemasons and craftsmen adept in using local materials. These workers possessed advanced techniques necessary for constructing a durable structure capable of enduring harsh marine conditions. Their expertise ensured the lighthouse’s stability and longevity, reflecting the architectural practices of the 19th century. Additionally, maintaining the lighthouse demands technicians familiar with marine environments, capable of performing regular inspections and repairs. This specialized knowledge is crucial for ensuring the lighthouse’s continued functionality and safety, thereby preserving its role as a vital navigational aid for vessels in Macau’s waters.

01

Materials & Systems

The Jesuits brought European construction methods, including stone carving and vaulting techniques, while local artisans and laborers contributed significantly, blending European design with Chinese building practices. The grand façade was built from granite blocks, chosen for durability and visual impact. Lime mortar was used as a binding agent in masonry, typical of European construction at the time. Decorative elements and interior finishes may have included lime-based plaster. Gold leaf and paint were used for religious iconography and embellishments, especially within the church. The five-level façade was built to resemble a retablo (a decorative altar screen), with niches for statues and symbolic carvings.

02

Workers & Skills

A cross-cultural coordination of designers, supervisors, and symbolic planners with Baroque architecture skills and religious iconography. Notable figures are Carlo Spinola (architect), and Alessandro Valignano (founder and strategist). Jesuits acted as project managers, combining European architectural vision with local execution. They recruited skilled workers through missionary networks and local Christian converts, while training local artisans in European techniques while adapting to local materials and styles. Teams were often multilingual and multi-ethnic. Laborers and porters provided construction support by transporting granite blocks, mixing mortar, and site preparations. There were also Japanese Christian Artisans, some of whom refugees from Japan’s anti-Christian persecutions.

01

Materials & Systems

The façade of the São Paulo Ruins measures 23 meters wide and 25.5 meters high, organized into five levels. Following the classical idea of divine ascension, the architectural orders progress from the base to the top, starting with Ionic, then Corinthian, and finally Composite. The two upper floors taper gradually to support a triangular pediment, symbolizing the Holy Spirit—the peak of divine ascension.

Sculptures depict biblical themes, mythological images, Chinese characters, chrysanthemums, a Portuguese boat, maritime symbols, Chinese lions, and bronze statues of Jesuit saints, reflecting European, Chinese, and other Asian influences. Overall, it represents a blend of global, regional, and local styles.

02

Workers & Skills

At the Ruins of São Paulo in Macau, the workers were a diverse group at the time, including Chinese and Japanese craftsmen, some of whom were Christian, as well as local workers. For the preservation numerous experts are engaged in the efforts to safeguard, upkeep, and highlight the location. Tour guides and security personnel greet guests, sharing insights about its past while maintaining safety. Professionals in conservation and restoration are responsible for cleaning, fixing issues, and ensuring the site is preserved. Additionally, there are teams focused on security, upkeep, administration, and education that play a role in overseeing the area. Many these employees are members of the local community.

01

Materials & Systems

The construction of the A-Ma Temple stands as a powerful demonstration to the sophisticated traditional Chinese architectural and artisan skills during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The primary skill was traditional Chinese carpentry, centered on an intricate timber framing system. Master carpenters have an advanced understanding of interlocking wooden joints, primarily the mortise-and-tenon technique, to create the main load-bearing structures without relying on modern nails or fasteners. This required precise measurement and cutting to ensure both stability and flexibility, especially against Macau’s humid climate. Artisans utilized local granite to build robust foundations, walls, and paving.

02

Workers & Skills

The A-Ma Temple was founded by the local fishing and seafaring community. Initially, the complex consisted of just the Hall of Benevolence. Although no historical records confirm the builders, it is widely held that the fishermen acted as patrons, funding the project rather than performing the specialized construction themselves. The intricate woodwork, masonry, sculpture, and painting would have required the skills of professional artisans. The fishermen likely contributed basic labor, utilizing their practical craftsmanship from boat repair, resulting in a true community effort.

The temple expanded over the centuries. A prayer hall was added in 1605, funded jointly by the government and locals.

01

Materials & Systems

The A-Ma Temple is a layered architectural complex that exemplifies traditional Chinese construction techniques and spiritual symbolism. Materials used throughout the temple are regionally sourced and chosen for durability and symbolic resonance. Granite forms the foundational elements. Timber, primarily Chinese fir or camphor wood, is used in the structural framework, assembled using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery. The temple’s roofs are covered in ceramic tiles, typically glazed in green or grey. Decorative elements include painted plaster, stucco reliefs, and bronze fittings. The integration of natural rock formations and vegetation within the built environment reinforces the temple’s spiritual connection to nature.

02

Workers & Skills

The construction and preservation of the A-Ma Temple reflect a rich tapestry of skilled labor and cultural devotion. Stone masons shaped enduring granite foundations, while timber craftsmen used mortise-and-tenon joinery to build resilient wooden structures. Ceramic tile makers, stucco artists, and metalworkers infused the temple with symbolic detail and spiritual resonance. Feng shui masters guided its harmonious layout. In modern times, conservation architects, heritage specialists, and local craftspeople continue this legacy, blending tradition with preservation. Together, these workers embody the temple’s soul—where craftsmanship becomes culture, and every carved surface tells a story of reverence, resilience, and collective artistry.

01

Materials & Systems

The main materials used in its construction included bricks, which were often produced locally, and lime, used as a binder in the mortar to join the bricks and coat surfaces. Wood also played a crucial role, being used both in structural elements, such as beams and roofs, and in interior finishes, such as altars and doors. Additionally, decorative ceramics and tiles were applied to embellish the interior, reflecting the fusion of Portuguese and Chinese styles. These materials and construction techniques were carefully chosen, taking into account Macao’s tropical climate and the availability of local resources.

02

Workers & Skills

Stonemasons played a fundamental role, taking charge of the masonry and construction of the walls, using bricks and stones to ensure the stability of the structure. Carpenters were also essential, being responsible for the construction of the roof and the creation of wooden elements, such as doors and altars, using their skills to work with different types of wood. In addition to these, artists and artisans brought a decorative touch to the church. Painters specializing in frescoes and sculptors who created religious images adorned the interior with works that reflected the spirituality and culture of the time. The master builder oversaw the entire process, coordinating the different groups of workers.

01

Materials & Systems

The temple consists of six main parts: Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence (the oldest part of the temple), the Hall of Guanyin, Zhengjiao Chanlin – Buddhist Pavilion. Instead of steel and concrete, the temple exhales granite and wood. Cool solid granite pavement stones, and pass by massive stone walls that appear to erupt just from the earth. This locally-quarried granite provides a sturdy foundation, and it’s also been lovingly carved by master artisans into guardian lions, beautiful gateways, and poetry-engraved tablets. The ingenious system of the skilled craftsmenholds, up the legendary swooping roofs, covered in gleaming glazed terracotta tiles.

02

Workers & Skills

The A-Ma Temple wasn’t built; it was hand-crafted with care. Stonemasons, dust in their hands, patiently carved granite into watchful lions and verse-inscribed words. Wood-workers, familiar with every plank of wood, fitting beams together without nails, creating the sound of silent joinery, they used a genius interlocking bracket system called dougong, fitting pieces of precious hardwood together like a 3D jigsaw puzzle. The gleam of the roofs came from tile-makers who mastered the alchemy of color deepening glazes. For the maintenance of the temple whenever possible, restorers use original materials (such as specific types of wood, ceramic tiles, stone) and traditional construction techniques (such as wood joinery without nails).

01

Materials & Systems

Macau’s A-Ma Temple is an example of traditional Chinese temple construction, using materials and techniques perfected over centuries. Its main structural system is timber construction, a hallmark of Chinese sacred architecture. The load-bearing system consists of solid timber columns and intricate dougong assemblies (traditional Chinese interlocking wooden brackets that transfer a building’s roof load to columns).
The primary materials are granite and timber, sourced locally. Granite is used for the foundations of the platform, staircases, and protective walls, attaching the temple to the hillside. The walls are often filled, constructed of gray brick, and serve no structural function. The wide, curved roofs are covered with glazed terracotta tiles, usually in imperial yellow or green, which are both decorative and functional for rainwater drainage.

02

Workers & Skills

The construction and preservation of the A-Ma Temple relied on a collaborative, hierarchical workforce. The Temple was built by different groups of skilled workers. Master builders who worked with stone created the arches and carved the rocks. Woodworkers built the beautiful halls and curved roofs. These workers were experts in traditional Chinese building. They were probably brought together by community leaders or religious groups who wanted to build the temple. These teams worked on different parts of the temple at different times over many years. Their combined skills and hard work created the entire temple complex we see today.