An Enriching Journey for Macau High School Students into the World of Architecture
“Go-to-School” is a community project launched by the Architects Association of Macau (AAM) since 2022, in partnership with the Macao secondary schools aiming to assist young people to develop their future studies/career plans. The 2025 AAM “Go-to-School”has changed from having the event launched individually in each of the partner shcools to a new joint-schools format , have attracted around 100 secondary school students coming from six secondary schools in Macao to participate, partner schools including the School of the Nations, The International School of Macau, Sacred Heart Canossian College (English Section), Yuet Wah College, Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College and the Lou Hau High School. Two recognitions - “The Best Team Spirit” and “The Best Pavilon”- are also introduced this year.
The event was kicked off with an introduction to what architecture is and the role of architects to student participants, aiming to educate and inspire young people about the field of architecture and the key role architects play in shaping our built environment. This was followed by an interactive workshop, the students were divided into groups of 5-6 participants and were firstly given a brief introduction to the design considerations by the curators, then simulated a real-world construction project under the guidance of a mentor teams comprised of both architects and architecture related professionals, from conceptualization to building their design projects using eco-friendly materials on an actual site.
The Taipa Central Park was used as the site for the design and construction project, with the aim of giving students the opportunity to think about and encourage them to reflect on the amenities and needs of the public spaces in residential areas. Each student group presented their architectural design and model, and the student participants’ projects embodied a fusion of innovation, sustainability and functionality, demonstrating their mastery of architectural concepts and abilities to transform ideas into tangible forms, team spirit and creativities. The whole event was concluded with the presentation of the two recognitions and words of encouragement to the participants by the President of AAM Board of Directors, Ar. Choi Wan Sun.
Special thanks to the Foundation Macau for their sponsorship of this community project, support from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the Macau Univesrity of Science and Technology, more than 40 mentors/helpers who are architects or architecure related professionals, volunteered themselves to this meanful community project. The AAM mentor team included the President of the General Assembly, Ar. Leong Chong In; President of the Board of Directors, Ar. Choi Wan Sun, the Vice President of the Board of Directors, Ar. Wu Kim Kam and Ar. Nuno Soares; Board Directors included Ar. Lai Kuong Hou, Ar. Jimmy Wardhana, Ar. Hong Kai Chong, Ar. Si Kung Hong, Ar. Zheng Jianyi, Ar. Wong Chun Wan, Ar. Ma Chi Fai and Ar. Tong Man Kit, Supervisory Board Director Ar. Lam lap Yan, the Secretary of the General Assembly Ar. Wong In Nga, AAM members and architecture related professionals.