Casa Skyline
天際線住宅
Casa Skyline stands near the church in Penha, the hillside at the southern end of the Macao peninsula. This architecture was built by Julio Alberto Basto. It is the only example in Macao of a modernist dwelling designed as a white cubic shape and a sharply defined outline. Low reliefs in an Art Deco style add to the attraction of this peculiar building.
Casa Skyline is located in Nam Van of Macao, where the construction began in the late 18th century. At this stage, the Macao government realized the importance of green constructions for the city’s quality of life, and so began the building of green architecture in Nam Van. At that time, Penha hill was one of the best places for green construction. The superior geographical location and exceptional living environment of Penha hill drove the bigwigs to build their residences and public buildings in this area. According to historical records, in the early 20th century, the area was once home to large foreign companies and was filled with unique and magnificent residences and public buildings. In 1934, FJ "Freddie" Gellion, a British engineer who had run the Macao electric company for many years, built his own house which names “Casa Skyline” on this site. By the time of the second world war (around the 1930s), most countries chose to establish consulates in the Penha hill. During this period, Casa Skyline was rent as an ancillary residence for the British Consulate. It was still owned by FJ "Freddie" Gellion. Then, in late 19th century the house became the residence of Carlos Augusto Corrêa Paes d’Assumpção, a well-known Macanese lawyer in Macao. Since then it is owned by the Assumpção family.
It can be seen that Penha hill has always been a residential area for the rich and famous families. The architecture of this area can be said to be the epitome of the life of bigwigs in different periods from the beginning of the 20th century.
Casa Skyline (天際線住宅) 坐落在位於澳門半島南端的東望洋教堂附近。這個建築是由Julio Alberto Basto（鮑斯托）建造的。這是澳門唯一一所呈白色立方体状并且具有清晰轮廓的現代住宅。並且，淺浮雕藝術裝飾風格增加了這個獨特建築的吸引力。
Casa Skyline (天際線住宅) 位於澳門南灣區，南灣區的建造主要開始於18世紀末。在這個階段，澳門政府意識到城市的綠化建設的對對生活品質重要性，於是政府開始在南灣區建設綠化。當時的東望洋山是綠化建設工程總中建設的最好的地方之一。東望洋山優越的地理位置及居住環境決定了東望洋山區域使得權貴紛紛在此地建造住所或公共建築。據史料顯示，在20實際初期，這個地區曾經是外國大公司的居住區，佈滿獨特的宏偉的住宅和公共建築。1934年，曾為曾管理澳門電力公司多年的英國工程師 (FJ " Freddie " Gellion)在這裡建造了自己的住宅Casa Skyline (天際線住宅)。到第二次世界大戰期間（20世紀30年代左右），大部分國家都選擇在東望洋地區建立領事館。Casa Skyline (天際線住宅)在這個階段，被租用為英國領事館的配宅,仍為FJ " Freddie " Gellion所有。直到20世紀後期，這棟住宅成為當時澳門當地有名望的土生葡人律師宋玉生的宅邸。在這之後，一直為宋玉生家族所有。可以看出，東望洋山一直是富人和名門望族的居住區。這一區域的建築可以說是從20世紀初起不同時期權貴生活的縮影。
“Butterfly Method” Analysis：
As the epitome of high life in Macao at the period of 20centry, the Casa Skyline has great significance to reflect the social life of Macao at that time. And till now, it is still used as a senior residence. Unfortunately, it is only popular in a limited group (upper class), but for this group, the skyline house carries a lot of their memories. Today, because of its use as a private residence, the skyline house has limited social connection with community. In the more than 100 years since it was built, the Casa Skyline has remained in good condition, and its historical significance gives it unlimited possibilities for future development.
天際線住宅作為20世紀澳門上層社會生活的縮影，對於反映當時的澳門的社會生活有著重大意義。並且至今其仍作為高級住宅使用。雖然遺憾的是，它僅在局限的群體（上流社會）中流行，但是就這個群體而言，天際線住宅承載了很多他們的回憶。現今，由於天際線住宅作為私人宅邸使用，它和社會的聯繫並不大。在建成的100多年間，天際線住宅一直保持著良好狀態，並且其具有的歷史意義賦予了它未來無限的發展可能。
References:
Costa. (1998, June 01). The Architectural History of Macao. Review of Culture. 35, 3-44.
José Manuel Fernandes, Maria de Lurdes Janeiro, Maria João Janeiro, João Loureiro ; pref. Carlos Marreiros.(2015). Macao : cidade, território e arquitecturas. Macau : Instituto Internacional de Macau.
Reeves, J. P. (2004). Reeves, The Lone Flag -- Memoir Of The British Consul In Macao During World War II. HongKong: Hong Kong University Press.
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