Between 2021 and 2023, the Municipality of Faro in Portugal implemented the MI.MOMO project – Minecraft and Modernist Architecture in Faro. The project used Minecraft as the central tool to engage young people with the city’s rich modernist architecture.
More Than Just a Game: Minecraft as an Educational Tool
At the center of MI.MOMO is Microsoft’s Minecraft Education, the specialized version of the popular game designed to serve as a dynamic learning platform. Launched in 2016, Minecraft Education has been used in classrooms around the world, promoting creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving within a digital environment.
Faro’s Modernist Legacy
Starting in the mid-20th century, Faro became known for its distinct modernist architecture, designed by architects like Manuel Gomes da Costa and others. Today, the city features around 500 modernist buildings, each with unique adaptations to the local climate, such as flat roofs, cement grids for filtering the strong sunlight, and more. The number and features of these buildings contribute to Faro’s unique status as a modernist city in Southern Europe.
The MI.MOMO Project: Minecraft and Modernist Architecture
The MI.MOMO project was created as part of Faro’s candidacy for the European Capital of Culture 2027, highlighting the city’s strong connection to modernist architecture. The project has run two editions, each focusing on the digital replication of various modernist buildings in Faro. In the first edition, students from schools in Faro participated, while the second edition expanded to include schools in the Loulé municipality and a school in Maputo, Mozambique. Across both editions, approximately 600 students were involved in the project. The project integrated various disciplines and included thematic lessons, guided tours, and presentations of the Minecraft models developed by the students.
A Commitment to Cultural Heritage for People
MI.MOMO aligns with the principles of the Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society of the Council of Europe, signed in Faro in 2005. This convention emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage as a foundation for human rights and democracy.
MI.MOMO and MC-YOU
The MI.MOMO project reveals how digital tools like Minecraft can promote a deeper understanding of cultural heritage among young people.The MC-YOU project will now test Minecraft as a tool for participation in the city by inviting young people to reimagine public spaces to make them more sustainable and resilient.