Macao Barra District

This project began as a branding and visual identity design contest for Macao's Barra district with a tight deadline. The goal was to create a set of logos for specific buildings within the district, reflecting their heritage while ensuring future-proof, agile designs. The project was approached through on-site primary research in the Barra district and the Macau Maritime Museum. This allowed me to learn about the area's cultural history, capture raw textures from tiles and weathered walls, and study the buildings' silhouettes. The submitted work was placed in bronze of the open group of the contest.

The outcome comprises six design systems for individual buildings and areas. While each has distinctive elements, they all fall under the same master brand—the Barra District. This overarching brand features a tile-like circular framework and shared formatting, including the year of construction, primary and secondary functions, and silhouette of each building. This approach not only maintains a strong district identity but also allows for seamless integration of future areas into the family.

Macao's Barra District is steeped in aquatic and industrial history, featuring former navy shipyards, building berths, maritime offices, and an abattoir. This unique blend has positioned the area at the heart of Macao's revitalisation plan. The goal is to reshape it into a new attraction—"a sustainable public space that embodies Macao's maritime heritage and its importance as a trading port, while possessing local cultural uniqueness."