Conrad Hotel Beijing

Architects: MAD Location: Beijing, China Structural Engineers: Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD) Mechanical Engineers: Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD) Façade/cladding consultants: King General Engineering, SuP Ingenieure GmbH Interior Designers: Lim.Teo + Wilkes Design Works Pte Ltd Landscape Designer: Earthasia Design Group Site Area: 7,779 sqm Constructed Area: 56,994 sqm Building height: 106 meters Images: MAD

The CBD of Beijing was built according to the west standard set up around the industrial revolution of the early 20th century, when high-rise building was the symbol of the capitalism. But far from the ambition of more than one hundred year ago, when people tried to challenge themselves with modern technology and future dreams, the contemporary CBD buildings are the concrete machines, copy of the copy in mass production. They are meaningless, crowded and soulless.

Situated among those buildings, Conrad hotel is the outcome of the slow-design. The façade element, which looks like the nervous tissue, is planted into a simple cubic. It is the toxin that destroys and transforms the surface into an organic envelop. The whole building is turned into a melting box, a starting point for the urban grid to change from the solid efficiency into the liquid idea. The standard product of the production line is therefore replaced by the digital craft of difference.

During the architecture evolution, people of different historical time tried to create organic buildings by their hand-made crafts. Their works are the representation of the worship of nature, the courage to break the heaviness of building and the passion of life. It is the spirit of sublime that became the culture icon of the era and the city. Conrad hotel is the design that appreciates the slowness in the fast urban development in China. The product of architecture is like the growing process of urban dwellers in the city, it is the evolution of energy and identity. The new urban efficiency is the difference precisely controlled and produced by the high-tech modern industry, and it creates the new possibility for people living in the city to discover their own new experience.

Source: ArchDaily

This type of buildings are made possible by the advance in computer graphics whereby the architects can now let their imagination go wild with the help of 3D modelling tools. Graphics below is not possible during the time when draftspersons relied on their skillful hand in detailing architectural drawings.

800m Tower by MAD Architects

Another fluid building by MAD Architects which would be great if it is built eventually.

Urban Forest Skyscraper

Today's advance technology has given rise to mind-boggling architecture that is unthinkable just 20 years ago. One of the most dramatic proposal in recent years comes from MAD Architects of Beijing with their design for the ‘Urban Forest‘. The proposal is for a commercial high-rise building in Chongqing city centre, China. The off-centred stacked floor design was inspired by the mountainous landscapes of China. The 70 floor building rises above the urban clutter surrounding it with vertical landscaping all around its fluid facade.

The fascination of this building does not stop in its unprecedented facade but is evident in its interior spatial design as well. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows cover each floor to allow maximum light exposure into the internal spaces. Each Levels are distinctly unique with multilayer sky gardens, floating patios and well-lit nesting spaces, providing various experiences for all who use it. Perhaps MAD's design statement summarizes the uniqueness of this building  succinctly, “The Urban Forest will not be a piece of mediocre urban machinery, but an artificial organ that lives and breathes new life in the steel-and-concrete-filled city center.” 

Urban Forest was inspired by the Chinese landscape.

Sky courts and gardens scattered throughout the skyscraper.

Urban Forest engages with activities on the street.

Fake Hills Mega Structure

Designed by MAD Architects at a proposed location of Beihai, China, Fake Hills Mega Structure is a housing complex that looks like an artificial hills or even a giant roller coaster. The design allows ample natural lighting and ventilation to pass through the building and reduce energy consumption of the entire complex.

The Elegant Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort

Location: Huzhou, China

Architect: MAD Architects

For decades this type of architecture has remain on the drawing boards of students and budding architects. They were often perceived as mere daydreams of the architects and will never be materialized. This building proves that as long as architects are brave enough to dream big, anything is possible!