Ma Yansong (born 26 November 1975)
Founder of the innovative architecture firm MAD Architects, Ma Yansong has helped to give China a name in the international architecture scene. The first Chinese architect to receive a RIBA fellowship, Ma explores contemporary architecture in relation to traditional eastern values of nature.
Photo: Courtesy of MAD
Ma started out studying architecture at the Beijing Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture, later completing his Masters’ degree at Yale University. After a period working at Zaha Hadid Architects, in 2004 Ma founded MAD Architects. In 2006 MAD designed their breakthrough building, the Absolute Towers.
Photo: Courtesy of MAD
Ma finds important inspiration for his architectural designs from traditional Chinese and Japanese methods of including “the structure, the landscape, the light, the plants, the water”; in other words, as he explained to the New York Times in 2016, “the whole setup” in the experience of a building.
Photo: Courtesy of MAD
Despite their often-futuristic exteriors, Ma’s designs have deep roots in landscape and nature, attempting to ease the interaction between buildings and people.
Photos: © CreatART Images
Next year, BMS and Infosteel will organize a site visit on the 8th of March to the ‘Tornado’, a panoramic viewpoint on top of the historic Fenix warehouse, designed by MAD Architects for Droom en Daad Foundation. CSM Steelstructures , Dura Vermeer, IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs, Stichting Droom en Daad, CIG architecture
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
