Through the Lens: Vernacular Architecture in the Greater Bay Area

Macao-based Portuguese photojournalist Eduardo Leal won his category, the Macau Open, with this image highlighting the intricate details of an old building in the Patane area of Macao Peninsula. His piece captures the striking interplay between light and shadow, enriched by vibrant hues of yellow and red

Macao-based Portuguese photojournalist Eduardo Leal won his category, the Macau Open, with this image highlighting the intricate details of an old building in the Patane area of Macao Peninsula. His piece captures the striking interplay between light and shadow, enriched by vibrant hues of yellow and red

A night-time scene of a residential complex under development in Zone A of the Macau New Urban Zone is the subject of this photograph, which earned Chon Ka Hou second place in the Macau Open category

A night-time scene of a residential complex under development in Zone A of the Macau New Urban Zone is the subject of this photograph, which earned Chon Ka Hou second place in the Macau Open category

Macao peninsula’s Avenida de Horta e Costa was captured during an unusually calm moment by Hong Keng Sio, who came third in the competition’s Macau Open category. The pinkish hue of the sky at dusk appears reflected on the facade of these apartment blocks’ balconies

Macao peninsula’s Avenida de Horta e Costa was captured during an unusually calm moment by Hong Keng Sio, who came third in the competition’s Macau Open category. The pinkish hue of the sky at dusk appears reflected on the facade of these apartment blocks’ balconies

Chinese calligraphy inscribed on a piece of white cloth catches the eye in this light-versus-dark photo, captured by Jingyi Xu to win the Macau Student category

Chinese calligraphy inscribed on a piece of white cloth catches the eye in this light-versus-dark photo, captured by Jingyi Xu to win the Macau Student category

A juxtaposition of old and new is depicted in a residential area nestled in the shadows of the majestic Canton Tower in Guangzhou in this photograph by Ieong Ka Meng, who secured 2nd place in the Macau Student Group category

A juxtaposition of old and new is depicted in a residential area nestled in the shadows of the majestic Canton Tower in Guangzhou in this photograph by Ieong Ka Meng, who secured 2nd place in the Macau Student Group category

The intricate details of Chinese aesthetics shine in this trichromatic photograph by Lyu Hong Hao taken in Foshan’s Fengjian Canaltown. The image earned Hao the third place in the Macau Student Group category

The intricate details of Chinese aesthetics shine in this trichromatic photograph by Lyu Hong Hao taken in Foshan’s Fengjian Canaltown. The image earned Hao the third place in the Macau Student Group category

To honour the distinctive vernacular architecture that defines the region, Macao’s Centre for Architecture and Urbanism (CURB) recently hosted a photography competition titled Treasures of the Greater Bay. CURB called on professional photographers and enthusiasts to capture urban sites across the nine cities of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) – Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Shenzhen, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan and Zhuhai – as well as the two Special Administrative Regions, Macao and Hong Kong.

Vernacular architecture refers to structures built to meet local needs, using regional resources and traditions, rather than adhering to a specific genre. While these buildings often reflect influences from well-known styles, like Modernism, they remain rooted in the communities they serve – both shaping and being shaped the everyday lives of those around them.

The competition attracted 157 participants, who submitted nearly 400 photographs between them. A panel of expert judges led by renowned architectural photographer Ines Leong then evaluated the entries based on artistic merit, technical skill and originality. At Treasures of the Greater Bay’s awards ceremony, held in late September at CURB’s Inner Harbour headquarters, Eduardo Leal and Jingyi Xu were recognised as the top photographers in the Macau Open and Macau Student categories, respectively, while Ji Xiang claimed the top prize in the GBA Open category.