The Londoner Macao Resort: Elaborate GRC Façade Craftsmanship

The luxury resort, The Londoner Macao, developed by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, was completed in phases during 2020 and 2021. Interior design by Steve Leung Design Group, the resort features a GRC façade inspired by the Palace of Westminster, using Aalborg White CEM I 52.5 white cement for producing all decorative elements. It has become Macau’s third must-visit landmark on the Cotai Strip, alongside the Venetian Macao and the Parisian Macao.

The Londoner Macao, located on the Cotai Strip in Macau, China, has been transformed into a new integrated resort through renovation, expansion, and rebranding. Emphasizing elegance, quality, and British luxury, the resort features five luxury hotel brands, diverse dining experiences, a 6,000-seat arena, and themed entertainment facilities.

The façade showcases a classic British Gothic architectural style with GRC elements, including turrets, pointed arch windows, intricate reliefs, and cornices. Spanning approximately 33,000 square meters, the façade uses decorative GRC prefabricated elements. Guangzhou Style Arts was responsible for the detailed design, production, and modular supply of these elements. The project's complexity is highlighted by the need for more than 30 structural calculations for each façade, making the process particularly rigorous.

Thanks to Guangzhou Style Arts' independent and experienced design team, which handles 3D modelling, SD drawings, DD drawings, CSD drawings, FSD, MSD, and PSD drawings, the project benefits from comprehensive support throughout its implementation. This team oversees everything from detailed construction drawings to product processing drawings, ensuring the successful execution of the architectural plans.

Immagine

Exemplary GRC Application on Building Facades 

Guangzhou Style Arts employed its custom-developed GRC formulas and production processes, using Aalborg White cement as the primary material. Known for its high whiteness, strength, and consistency, Aalborg cement ensures superior physical performance and colour stability for GRC elements. With stringent control over the formulas and production methods, the resulting GRC sculptural elements are detailed and lifelike. Additionally, silicone fiberglass formworks were used to accurately reproduce the sculptural details and weathered stone-like textures.

GRC manufacturing involves two key processes: premixing and spraying. It is mainly used for new construction, recladding, or restoring existing facades. The Londoner project exemplifies the application of GRC on building facades, with its multi-layer spray technique ensuring excellent physical performance and exceptional results.

The facade of The Londoner has been widely acclaimed for its striking impact, earning high praise from art and structural experts, project owners, and the broader community. It has set a standard in the industry for precise replication and revitalization of classic architecture.

Immagine

Immagine

Effective Application of BIM System

Given the project's large scale, complex design, and high structural and artistic requirements, the BIM system plays a crucial role in modelling and managing the facade's steel frame structure and elements. It facilitates comprehensive information control, including the installation and collision checks of the steel structure and exterior elements. Model data is used to generate production drawings for the steel frames and products, which are meticulously reviewed by experienced structural engineers, effectively addressing the challenges of complex design and structural safety. The BIM system enhances structural safety, design precision, and project efficiency.

Immagine

Immagine

Precision in Artistic Design 

The Palace of Westminster is a quintessential example of grand British Gothic architecture, characterized by its diverse and intricate forms, sophisticated techniques, and high artistic value. Replicating such a classic structure requires exceptional artistic skill from the creative team. Art experts demand that all reliefs and sculptures be both vivid and beautiful.

The design team, along with sculptors and carvers, has thoroughly analysed the reliefs and sculptures of the original building. Given the historic nature of the Palace of Westminster, where the sculptures have weathered over time, artists and carvers have recreated them to ensure each piece accurately and perfectly conveys the "form" and "essence" of the original.

To replicate classic architecture flawlessly, all product prototypes in this project were created using CNC engraving technology. This process involves exporting model data from the BIM system, followed by precise carving of details such as sculptural features and surface textures with CNC machines. This technology enhances the perfection of artistic creation.

Immagine

Immagine

Continuous Innovation and Breakthrough

For 19 years, Guangzhou Style Arts has been dedicated to researching and applying building concrete materials, continually exploring new materials and technologies. With a track record of over 500 large-scale projects, we have worked with UHPC manufacturers to refine production techniques. Recently, in partnership with Cementir’s Anqing plant, we are using Excel® UHPC premixed products for nearly 50,000 square meters of building facades. Following technical exchanges and adjustments, the project is set to be completed by the end of 2025.

Immagine

UHPC Panels made with Excel premix product 

Guangzhou Style Arts is committed to innovation and excellence in GRC materials and CNC engraving techniques. By using high-quality Aalborg White cement as the primary raw material for GRC, we combine technology with artistry. The BIM system ensures effective project management, leading to precise and efficient execution and exceptional artistic outcomes.