Ten MAD Architects projects with distinctive sculptural forms

After completing One River North in Denver, we’ve rounded up 10 recently completed buildings by MAD that are defined by their bold, sculptural forms.

From undulating and mirrored facades to pitched “bird-like” roofs, this project collection comprises some of the most curvaceous projects designed and built by the studio.

Founded by architect Ma Yansong in 2004, MAD Architects has become renowned for its developments of various scales and typologies in China and beyond, including museums, concert halls, urban complexes and housing estates.

This list of studio projects includes the “clover-like” ZGC International Innovation Center, which reached completion in Beijing earlier this year, and the Cloudscape of Haikou library, which features a sinuous structure cast in white concrete and marked by curves. openings

Continue reading MAD’s 10 Recently Completed Buildings:

---

One River North, United States, 2024

Last week, MAD Architects unveiled an apartment block in Denver, Colorado that features a crack-like opening in its curved glass facade.

Called One River North, the 15-story residential project was designed as a nod to the geographic formations of the nearby Rocky Mountains.

Learn more about One River North ›

---

Clouds of Haikou, China, 2021

The Cloudscape of Haikou Library features a sinuous structure cast in white concrete on the coast of Hainan Island in China.

Spread over 1,000 square meters, the structure is completed with large cutout curves that immerse visitors in the surrounding coastal landscape.

Learn more about Cloudscape of Haikou ›

---

Forest train station, China, 2024

This 354,000 square meter MAD development included the reconstruction and expansion of a historic train station in downtown Jiaxing, China.

Called a train station in the forest, the dynamic form of the structure was expanded to house an underground terminal topped with a public park at ground level.

More information about the train station in the forest ›

---

YueCheng Courtyard Kindergarten, China, 2020

Converted from an 18th-century courtyard building in Beijing, MAD Architects created the YueCheng Courtyard Kindergarten, which is topped off by a rooftop playground.

The rooftop playground is defined by brightly colored interlocking walkways that contrast with the existing buildings in the area.

Learn more about YueCheng Courtyard Kindergarten ›

---

Hutong Bubble 218, China, 2019

Located in one of Beijing’s old hutongs, MAD transformed this empty courtyard house with the addition of two bubble-like workspaces.

The two sculptural forms are encased in mirror stainless steel chosen to blend in with the environment by reflecting their surroundings.

More information about Hutong Bubble 218 ›

---

Quzhou Stadium, China, 2022

Defined by its sinuous, concrete structure, the Quzhou Stadium completed by MAD was conceived as “a piece of terrestrial art”.

Located in Quzhou, China, the stadium has a capacity of 30,000 and has undulating seating designed to follow the hills of the surrounding landscape.

More information about Quzhou Stadium ›

---

Ephemeral bubble, Japan, 2024

MAD created a bubble-like installation that blows a wooden house for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial in Japan.

A space for performances and ceremonies, the Ephemeral Bubble installation was constructed from a PVC membrane designed to mimic the “lightness and translucence of breathable air”.

More information about Ephemeral Bubble ›

---

ZGC International Innovation Center, China, 2024

A curved green roof with undulating overhangs tops off the ZGC International Innovation Center in Beijing by MAD Architects.

The 65,000 square meter conference center is defined by a “trefoil-like shape”, which houses event spaces, meeting rooms and lounges, as well as a sheltered outdoor public space.

More information about ZGC International Innovation Center ›

---

UNIC, France, 2022

Curved white balconies surround the 13-story UNIC residential tower completed by MAD in Paris, France.

The development constitutes the studio’s first completed project in Europe and was designed in conjunction with French studio Biecher Architectes to be a landmark within the wider Clichy-Batignolles development north of Paris.

More information about UNIC ›

---

Yabuli Entrepreneurs’ Congress Center, China, 2020

Completed in 2020, the Yabuli Entrepreneurs’ Congress Center features a dynamic conference center nestled among the mountains of northeastern China.

Located in Yabuli Ski Resort near the city of Harbin, the building was designed to be a landmark created for the Yabuli China Business Forum.

More information about Yabuli Entrepreneurs’ Congress Center ›