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Architectural designs for redeveloping Macau's iconic casino, the 38-year-old Lisboa, have gone on display at Grand Lisboa, the flagship casino of SJM Holdings.
Unnamed pictures of a dozen concepts submitted by six design firms are being shown in an exhibition, from yesterday to Sunday, in the casino's Grand Ballroom.
Gaming mogul Stanley Ho Hung-sun, the managing director of SJM,  praised the long history of Casino Lisboa at the exhibition's opening ceremony, referring to it as Macau's 'heritage'. 'While integrated resorts are now the accepted formula in Macau, it should be remembered that this  innovative concept was introduced by us back in 1970,' he said.
SJM was aiming for a redevelopment that would be 'unique and culturally appropriate for Macau'.
Each design firm has come up with two concepts: one with, and the other without, the Lisboa's famed 'birdcage' design. It is still uncertain whether the birdcage will be retained in the  redevelopment.
The exhibition is part of a design contest organised by SJM. A judging panel comprising SJM executives and architects will shortlist three concepts for a second round, in which a winner will be selected.
When Casino Lisboa opened in 1970, its circular design was considered revolutionary at the time. The birdcage shape was especially popular among foreign tourists.
Many Hong Kong gamblers believe that the 'birdcage' has a special fung shui effect - 'caging' punters and their money  inside.
But Mr Ho said yesterday that fung shui was not considered. 'People said it was a fung shui design to confine gamblers,' he said, 'Lisboa was designed by Eric Cumine, a relative of mine. He is a foreigner who knows nothing about fung shui.'
Design firms taking part in the contest include Paul Andreu Architecte of Paris, which designed the National Grand Theatre  of China; Dennis Lau & Ng Chun Man Architects & Engineering,  which designed the Grand Lisboa; and Simon Kwan & Associates,  which designed the Hong Kong Science Park.



Six firms have designs on giving 38-year-old Lisboa a new look