Macao: Parallel Worlds

New images from renowned photographer Iwan Baan capture Macao's architectural complexities beyond its reputation as the "Las Vegas of the East"

Macao, a Special Administrative Region of China, is among the most densely populated regions in the world and a thriving metropolis marked by a dynamic blend of contrasting urban typologies. The city's urban complexity, resulting from rapid growth and high-density construction, cannot be simply characterized as the "Las Vegas of the East," as the city is sometimes referred to. A series of newly built, large-scale leisure and entertainment complexes define the city's iconic casino district, while urban planning and architecture in various new areas reflect ambition and confidence in contemporary urban development. In this bilingual English/Chinese publication, the curators of the Macao exhibition at the 19th Venice International Architecture Biennale, architects Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu, present the coexisting parallel worlds of Macao. The city's multifaceted architectural landscape is documented through Iwan Baan's remarkable photography.