The Centre Pompidou acquires 12 architectural models by MAD Architects

The Centre Pompidou in Paris has recently acquired 12 stunning architecture models that illustrate projects MAD have created between 2005 to the present day.

Each model embodies MAD’s core values that “look to envisioning a futuristic architecture that is akin to dream-like earthscapes – one that creates a conversation with nature, the earth, and the sky.”

Pingtan Art Museum model. Image courtesy of MAD Architects. Dimensions.- 150x150x12 cm. Material(s).- paint, resin, wood. Scale.- 1:600

The collection, permanently acquired by the Pompidou, is a reflection demonstrating the evolution of the firm’s design process. The Pompidou has become the first major European cultural institution to acquire such a collection of MAD’s work, on display in an opening exhibition at the center in April 2019.

Each model represents various structural typologies, ranging from a contemporary kindergarten, residential towers, mixed-use complexes, and cultural buildings. Individually, each model also exhibits elements of artistic aptitude due to the level of precision and construction detail.

Founded in 2004 by Ma Yansong, MAD Architects have developed an extensive portfolio of built works. The 12 models express how MAD creates a “balance between humanity, the city, and the environment, with a particular sensibility towards the spiritual and emotional needs of inhabitants and their connection to nature.”

The models encompass built and unbuilt structures, such as the “Absolute Towers” in Canada, also known locally as the “Marilyn Monroe Towers”; the “Harbin Opera House” and “Chaoyang Park Plaza” in China; “Clover House” in Japan; and the “Lucas Museum of Narrative Art” in the USA.

Harbin Opera House (Section). Image by Shu He Harbin. Dimensions.- 128x90x63cm. Material(s).- paint, resin, wood. Scale.- 1:100

UNIC Residential. Image courtesy of MAD Architects. Dimensions.- 60x52.5x39 cm. Material(s).- paint, resin, wood. Scale.- 1:200.

Harbin Opera House model. Image by Shu He. Dimensions.- 68x81.5x22 cm. Material(s).- paint, resin, wood. Scale.- 1:400

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (Los Angeles) model . Image courtesy of MAD Architects. Dimensions.- 241x90x21 cm. Material(s).- paint, PVC, wood. Scale.- 1:300

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (Chicago). Image courtesy of MAD Architects. Dimensions.- 120x80x40 cm. Material(s).- paint, resin, wood. Scale.- 1:500

Chaoyang Park Plaza. Image courtesy of MAD Architects. Dimensions.- 29x60x30 cm. Material(s).- concrete, resin. Scale.- 1:400

Absolute Towers. Image © Fang Zhenning. Dimensions.- 111x56x125 cm. Material(s).- foam, PLA, plastic, wood. Scale.- 1:300

Clover House. Image Courtesy of MAD Architects. Dimensions.- 32x27x23 cm Material(s).- acrylic, PVC, wood. Scale.- 1:100

East 34th model. Image courtesy of MAD Architects. Dimensions.- 177x129x64 cm. Material(s).- resin, wood. Scale.- 1:100

Nanjing Zendai Himalayas Center. Image © CreatAR Images. Dimensions.- 230x108x58 cm. Material(s):.- acrylic, crystal, PVC, wood. Scale.- 1:300

Yabuli CEF Conference Center. Image courtesy of MAD Architects. Dimensions.- 217x181x42cm. Material(s).- acrylic, PVC, wood. Scale.- 1:150

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More information

MA YANSONG

Beijing-born architect Ma Yansong is recognized as an important voice in a new generation of architects. Since the founding of MAD in 2004, his works in architecture and art have been widely published and exhibited. He graduated from the Beijing Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture. Ma attended Yale University after receiving the American Institute of Architects Scholarship for Advanced Architecture Research in 2001 and holds a masters degree in Architecture from Yale. He has since taught architecture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.

Ma Yansong was awarded the 2006 Architecture League Young Architects Award. In 2008 he was selected as one of the twenty most influential Young Architects today by ICON magazine and Fast Company named him one of the ten most creative people in architecture in 2009. In 2010 he became the first architect from China to receive a RIBA fellowship.

“I work with emotion and with the context. When I design a building, I close my eyes and feel as if I saw a virtual world which lays half way between the city, the nature and the land. It goes from large scale to small scale. Many things travel in front of my eyes; I feel them and try to find the way to express my feelings. The language I use is the least important of it all. It does not matter whether they are straight lines, curves... I only intend for people to feel the same or to find something unexpected” says Ma Yansong. “MAD is an attitude, a posture towards architecture, towards society. Through our work we want people to be inspired by a place through local nature, time and space”, he states.

Photo © Daniel J.Allen

Architects MAD

MAD Office, Beijing, China. MAD is a Beijing-based architecture design office dedicated to creating innovative projects. The firm combines a sophisticated design philosophy with advanced technology in addressing and furthering issues in contemporary architecture and urbanity.

The firm has been the recipient of numerous awards including the 2006 Architectural League of New York's Young Architects Forum Award.

MAD's ongoing projects include the international competition-winning Absolute Tower in Toronto, Canada; The Tianjin Sinosteel International Plaza, a 320M tall tower in Tianjin, China; the Mongolian Museum in Inner Mongolia, China, and a private villa in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The firm has also won numerous international design competitions, including the 2006 Absolute Tower Competition in Toronto; the 2005 Solar Plaza Competition in Guangzhou, China, and the 2004 Shanghai National Software Outsourcing Base.

MAD's work has been published worldwide, and the office has also presented its designs in a series of exhibitions. In 2006, MAD was shown at the ‘MAD in China' exhibition in Venice during the Architecture Biennial, and the ‘MAD Under Construction' exhibition at the Tokyo Gallery in Beijing. In March of 2007, MAD will be shown at ‘MAD.exe' an exhibition at the Danish Architecture Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Ma Yansong, Yosuke Hayano and Qun Dand.