# Traditional Bamboo Scaffolding and Tea-Waste Panels Shape Macau Pagoda Impromptu Projects blends intangible cultural heritage with circular material systems in a waterfront pavilion. - **Source:** [architecture archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/1e716da2-18e6-4704-96a6-818e7860b99f) - **Published:** 2026-11-01 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3f14532f-380c-4337-8bf7-f4431a6d65bb ## Vernacular Construction Techniques The Bamboo Pagoda, designed by Impromptu Projects, stands 13 meters tall along the Sai Van Lake shoreline in Macau. This temporary pavilion reinterprets traditional bamboo scaffolding, a technique officially recognized as part of Macau's Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017. The structure serves as a contemporary space for public contemplation and architectural engagement. ## Geometry and Structural Design Led by architects Rita Machado and João Ó, the design utilizes an octagonal footprint that tapers as it ascends. This geometric approach references classical pagoda forms and Taoist concepts of equilibrium. The load-bearing skeleton consists of slender bamboo culms, which are secured using traditional lashing methods common in local construction practices. ## Material Innovation and Skin A semi-translucent skin made from bamboo fabric wraps the octagonal framework. This material choice filters natural light, creating a diffused visual effect for the vertical profile. The integration of this fabric with the raw bamboo skeleton highlights a balance between traditional structural craft and modern, lightweight architectural aesthetics for temporary installations. ## Circular Flooring Solutions The floor of the pavilion features composite panels developed by the Macau-based firm Zence Object Technology, also known as CHAZENCE. These panels are manufactured using a blend of recycled tea waste and discarded wood chips. This application demonstrates a practical approach to circular material systems within the context of temporary urban architecture. ## Off-Grid Energy Integration The project incorporates integrated solar panels to power its architectural spotlights, effectively operating independently from the municipal power grid. By combining renewable energy technology with sustainable material sourcing, the pavilion minimizes its environmental footprint. This energy strategy complements the temporary nature of the structure while maintaining functionality during evening hours. ## Project Collaboration and Stakeholders The Bamboo Pagoda was commissioned by the Ephemera Public Space Cooperative. The project team included lead architects Rita Machado, João Ó, Uieong To, and Alexandre Marquês, with specialized bamboo scaffolding expertise provided by Seng Kei Pang Chong. This collaboration highlights the multidisciplinary effort required to execute complex, culturally significant temporary public art installations. ## Site Context and Scale Spanning an area of 25 square meters, the pavilion is strategically positioned on the shoreline of Sai Van Lake. The scale is designed to be intimate yet imposing, providing a vertical landmark in the waterfront landscape. Its placement emphasizes the relationship between the city's historical construction methods and its modern urban development. ## Cultural Heritage Preservation By utilizing bamboo scaffolding as a primary design language, Impromptu Projects elevates a utilitarian construction method into a celebrated architectural feature. This project underscores the potential for modern design to preserve intangible cultural heritage through physical application. It serves as a model for how temporary structures can honor local traditions while advancing sustainability. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/architecture/traditional-bamboo-scaffolding-tea-waste-panels-impromptu-projects-pagoda-macau/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._