Architecture Awards 2020

63 2020 Architecture Awards BUILD Jun20408 Architectural & Urban Design Firm of the Year 2020 - Southern China It is surprising how far a little bit of local knowledge can go, and the winner of the Architectural & Urban Design Firm of the Year 2020 – Southern China, have been using their understanding of the local area to reduce costs and deliver exceptional final projects and customer service. We profiled the award-winning AETECT-Mo Architecture and Engineering Ltd to find out more about how they apply their in-depth knowledge to create such innovative designs. stablished in 1991, AETECT-Mo Architecture and Engineering Ltd. has made a name for itself by delivering excellent, top quality architectural and design services in both the private and public sectors. The team at AETEC-Mo are an international, highly qualified and professional team, experienced at providing the highest quality service while optimising time and budgets. AETEC-Mo prides itself on its ability to communicate with clients from multilingual and multicultural backgrounds. They have team members who are fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, French, English, Chinese Cantonese, and Chinese Mandarin. The company is linked to a global network of professionals, with established and cooperative relationships in Asia, Africa and Europe. The fundamental way that AETEC-Mo achieves success is through their attention to detail in both communicating with clients and design proposals and drawings. The more minute the level of detail that a project is designed to lowers the risk of incompatibilities or unsatisfactory results. It ensures that the design can be assessed on a micro level for both constructive and aesthetic suitability. Understanding of the project from every angle is crucial to the most optimal completion, and so design teams, contractors and clients are involved from the start. From the team’s side of things, it means that any problems can be anticipated, and the best solutions can be devised to any obstacles. For the client, it means that they can contribute to the direction of a project and makes sure that all stages meet their expectations. By doing this, AETEC-Mo have seen great results that support the efficacy of having everyone involved. AETEC-Mo also use their local knowledge to get ahead in a competitive industry. They source as many materials as locally as possible, so that they can cut down on delivery costs and delivery times from international shipments. Although a lot of clients expect materials to come in overseas, and are often swayed in favour of that by clever marketing and attractive design, AETEC-Mo sway them back by showing how you can source materials from their native country for less inflated prices and for quicker delivery. It all contributes to a lower final cost while maintaining quality. AETEC-Mo is functioning in an industry where their local population poses unique challenges and opportunities. Based in E Macau, they have 750,000 inhabitants spread over just 32km2, giving it one of the densest populations in the world. The unique situation calls for unique solutions. In a recent project of theirs, the Jardins Chon Kit residential building, AETEC-Mo incorporated a tunnel into the design that addressed accessibility problems in that part of the city. The tunnel connects two main roads, Avenida de Horta e Costa and Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga. The design of the building itself consists of a podium that features all the facilities for the tenants, including a carpark, gardens, and green amenities situated on the roof. These help to combat the impact of congestion and pollution in the area. The minimalist character is drawn in simple lines with ribbon openings across the aluminium façade. Colourful extrusions help to give the building a non-uniform appearance that has turned it into a local landmark. AETEC-Mo also works across the island of Taipa, Coloane, and across a peninsula, giving views and urban areas of a type not found further inland. Of course, China was hit very hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and so the construction business has slowed. However, in the future, AETEC-Mo is going to be building business back up by expanding the city to occupy part of the Henquin Island. We’re very excited to see the work that AETEC-Mo will be able to produce there. Company: AETEC-Mo Architecture and Engineering Ltd. Contact: Maria José de Freitas Website: www.aetecnet.com