Ma Yansong

MAD Architects, China

Ma Yangsong is the founder and principal of MAD Architects, a practice that has continued to gain acclaim. Ma is Beijing-born and was the first Chinese architect to win an international landmark-building project – the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in 2014. In recent years, many of his designs have been following the concept of the ‘Shanshui City’, which is his vision to create a new balance between the city, the environment and society through architecture. Parallel to his design practice, he has also been exploring the cultural values of cities and architecture through domestic and international solo exhibitions, publications and artworks. Fast Company named him one of the ‘10 Most Creative People in Architecture in 2009’ and one of the ‘100 Most Creative People in Business in 2014.’ In 2010 Ma became the first architect from China to receive a RIBA fellowship. In 2014 he was awarded ‘Young Global Leaders’ status by the World Economic Forum.

Photography: Feng Yu