mad architects

....is an architectural design fi rm based in Beijing, China. The fi rm is led by Ma Yansong, who founded the practice in 2004 two years after graduating with his master’s from Yale University. He follows his personal design philosophy, Shanshui City, which is his vision to create a new balance among society, the city, and the environment through new forms of architecture.

The design intent was to refl ect the repetition of the natural curves seen in sand dunes. Sand dunes’ patterns have a uniform appearance, but each striation is slightly altered due to wind deposits, giving them a unique texture. Similarly, the entrance of this space draws upon that method. Each wooden sweep follows its own path in plan, yet uses tangents in section to ensure the surface of the wall is not disjointed. It creates an undulating surface which carries users into the space and blends them into the environment.

“architecture needs to be organic,and we need to create a space for people and nature to connect,to coexist” -ma yansong

n rendered fl oor plannts entrance perspective

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