Zeyu Wang
AquaGamblia - A Journey Through Elemental Gamble
Casino, Steam, Water, Nature, Public Space
Macau, the resort city in China, is situated at the intersection of a humid climate and gambling culture. Due to its status as a Special Administrative Region, unusual things are allowed here, like a city devoted to gambling and risk. Macau’s typical development is to seal off all casino space: keep it indoors, separate from the city and the environment, something that keeps the risk of humidity and monsoons at bay. Most of these casinos are extensive interior landscapes of lights, gaming tables, carpets, and slot machines. Socializing happens throughout within a controlled, air conditioned environment.
Our thesis reframes the casino as an environment first: a casino whose typology is unwound and whose interior is exterior. Gambling in Macau should feel more like playing poker in the jungle and using slot machines in the clouds. We prefer Mahjong tiles over playing cards, fisheries to plazas, and landscapes to carpets. Our thesis creates a water entertainment complex at the edge of Macau City Center--AquaGamblia.
Project Description:
AquaGamblia is a cutting-edge entertainment complex in Macao that seamlessly merges the captivating world of water treatment processes with the thrill of gambling. This extraordinary space features distinct areas representing Steam, fishery, cold condensation, hot condensation, and jungle, each functioning as a unique micro-climate. Visitors embark on a multisensory journey, moving from one micro-climate to another while enjoying various casino games.
1. Steam Realm:
Upon entering, visitors are enveloped in a misty, steam-filled environment resembling a serene spa. Cascading water features and steam vents create an immersive atmosphere. Steam represents the origin of the water. Casino games in this area could include slots and card tables, subtly integrating steam-related imagery and soundscapes.
2. Fishery Enclave:
The next area transports guests into an underwater paradise with large aquariums displaying diverse marine life. As they explore, visitors learn about sustainable fishing and water's role in nurturing aquatic ecosystems. Casino games in this area incorporate fish-inspired elements, creating an engaging underwater gambling experience.
3. Cold and Hot Condensation Zones:
Innovative architecture connects these zones with a grand atrium, depicting the transformation of water from vapor to liquid and back. The cold condensation zone offers a chilly environment with interactive displays explaining water's journey from gas to liquid. The hot condensation zone represents industrial processes like power generation. This transition showcases water's adaptability. Casino games within these zones can resonate with the contrasting atmospheres, engaging visitors with diverse gambling experiences.
4. Jungle Oasis:
The jungle zone captures the essence of rainforests, featuring lush greenery, gentle waterfalls, and diverse flora. Visitors meander through walkways, encountering educational displays about water's role in sustaining life. Casino games could be positioned in clearings, offering a unique juxtaposition of natural beauty and gaming excitement.
5. Central Hub:
The central gambling hub seamlessly connects all micro-climates, enabling visitors to experience an ever-changing environment. The architectural design incorporates advanced climate control technologies, ensuring a smooth transition between zones. This hub is the heart of AquaClima Casino, where guests can gamble and immerse themselves in the dynamic surroundings.
Design Concept:
1.Site Design & Mahjong Elements:
Mahjong is a board game that originated in China. It is a game composed of cards and has a long history. As one of the traditional board games in China, mahjong is loved by the general public in China. In the Sichuan-Chongqing region, retired older people gather daily in teahouses near their homes to play mahjong with others. Sometimes, people convert the points they win into a small amount of money to increase the tension and excitement. The movie "God of Gamblers" also turned mahjong into a way for gamblers to gamble.
Considering Macau is a gambling city in China, we wanted to use some elements of mahjong. In this design, we refer to the patterns in mahjong, understand their arrangement, and apply these elements to the design of sea baths.
We tested different methods of using these elements, such as redrawing the patterns from mahjong into a continuous stroke and arranging these patterns. Or, like playing mahjong, record their arrangement, and link all the ways together.
Ultimately, we are turning these lines into channels, allowing water to flow into the site.
2. Buildings:
The site has two types of water resources, an artificial lake from the top and seawater from the bottom. Two types of water flow into the site but not touching each other, like yin-yang. Based on the difference in the water and the mahjong pattern, we sign them into different zones with different types of designs on architecture.
The first part of the building is located at the top of the lake water channel. It's a nature steam zone. Lake water will be purified inside the pipe and divided into two; one will transform into the water steam and create a steam realm. Visitors will be enveloped in a misty, steam-filled environment resembling a serene spa. Another part of the water becomes the essential resource for the Jungle Oasis inside the building. Visitors meander through walkways, encountering educational displays about water's role in sustaining life. Casino games could be positioned in clearings, offering a unique juxtaposition of natural beauty and gaming excitement.
The second part of the building is located at the top of the seawater channel. This area will become the Cold and Hot Condensation Zones; seawater will be sucked into the pipe and either heated or cooled to different temperatures. This will make the Steam around the first part of the building either evaporate or condensation, creating a different micro-climate. Casino games within these zones can resonate with the contrasting atmospheres, engaging visitors with diverse gambling experiences. Part of the seawater will also desalinate into pure water. Seasalt will be collected as a resource for the city; pure water will keep used in the next part.
The third part of the building is also located at the top of the seawater channel; it connects with the second part of the building. This part is a close indoor space with different functions like a casino, bathhouse, restaurant, assembly space, etc. The water from the second part will become the leading water resource for the bathhouse inside so that visitors can try different types of water in the bathhouse area.
AquaGamblia Casino's central concept revolves around creating controlled micro-climates, allowing visitors to move through various atmospheric conditions. Cutting-edge technologies regulate temperature, humidity, and lighting, providing an authentic experience in each zone.
By marrying the concepts of water treatment, micro-climates, and gambling, AquaGamblia Casino offers an educational and entertaining adventure. Visitors enjoy casino games and gain insights into water's transformative journey and impact on diverse environments. This multifaceted attraction creates a new standard in entertainment, emphasizing awareness, excitement, and experiential learning.
Mahjong Diagram
Render 01 / Chunk of Steam Part
Render 02 / Chunk of Hot Condensation Part
Perspective view
Plan of Water Channel