The Star: MAD Architects’ Visionary Proposal for Hollywood’s Future Work Spaces

Posted on 31/03/2024 by Tanvi Joshi

MAD Architects unveiled a visionary proposal for The Star in September 2021, a dynamic creative hub slated for Hollywood. Although the design was ultimately not chosen for realization, its innovative concepts continue to resonate, offering a glimpse into the future of workplace architecture. MAD Architects’ proposal was characterized by a biomorphic form, lush vertical landscaping, and a commitment to integrating the built environment with nature.

Designer: MAD Architects

Drawing inspiration from the city’s rich architectural heritage, including landmarks like the Griffith Observatory, Capitol Records Building, Hollywood Bowl, and Cinerama Dome, MAD Architects envisioned the “Star” as a shimmering addition to the urban landscape. Despite its towering presence, spanning 500,000 square feet across 22 floors, the building’s design aimed to harmonize with its surroundings, seamlessly blending into the fabric of Sunset Boulevard.

What set the “Star” apart was its focus on addressing the needs of the post-COVID reality. Recognizing the importance of physical, emotional, and mental well-being in the workplace, MAD Architects prioritized elements like natural light, ample ventilation, and outdoor spaces. The design incorporated tree-filled gardens, terraces, and sky gardens throughout the building, providing employees with opportunities for relaxation, inspiration, and connection with nature.

Collaborating with local design studio SALT Landscape Architects, MAD Architects ensured that the extensive landscape design complemented the building’s architecture, creating a harmonious environment that fostered creativity and productivity. From the ground level to the uppermost floors, every aspect of the “Star” was meticulously crafted to enhance the pedestrian experience and nourish the community’s spirit.

MAD Architects’ proposal for The Star captivated imaginations with its striking resemblance to three funnels stacked within each other, topped by an elegant glass dome. This distinctive architectural form wasn’t merely aesthetic; it was purposeful, accommodating innovative amenities that set the project apart. Among these features was a remarkable funicular track, providing visitors with an exhilarating journey skyward to an enclosed rooftop restaurant, event space, and observation deck. From this vantage point, panoramic views of Los Angeles would have unfolded, offering a unique perspective on the bustling cityscape below.

Central to MAD Architects’ vision was a profound emphasis on public access and engagement. The inclusion of a rooftop garden and observation deck open to all underscored their commitment to fostering a sense of community within the bustling heart of Hollywood. Moreover, the design of the building’s facade, characterized by tessellated glass, served a dual purpose. Not only did it maximize usable outdoor space, but it also maintained transparency for neighboring residents, ensuring that The Star would seamlessly integrate into its urban context without creating barriers or shadows.

Despite The Star remaining an unbuilt vision, its impact continues to reverberate within the architectural community. It serves as a compelling catalyst for conversations about the future of workplace design. MAD Architects’ deliberate prioritization of employee well-being, public interaction, and environmental sustainability resonates profoundly, offering a glimpse into a future where buildings serve not just as functional spaces but as vibrant hubs of creativity and sustainability.

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The Bird-Shaped Lishui Airport Is Set To Open At The End Of This Year In China

Posted on 22/03/2024 by Srishti Mitra

MAD Architects is known for their innovative creations and mind-boggling structures. They never play safe and create designs that are boring and limited, and their latest construction the upcoming Lishui Airport will be finished in the forested area of China Zhejiang Province. The airport resembles a massive white bird that is about to embark on flight!

Designer: MAD Architects

The Lishui Aiport will be completed at the end of 2024, and currently, there is still a lot of work to be done, before it looks anywhere close to these renders. MAD said that Lishui is a ‘forest city’ in the southwest Zhejiang Province, and it is known for its stunning greenery and valleys. “Its first airport is positioned as a domestic regional airport with an anticipated annual passenger throughput of one million, located in the hilly terrain 15 kilometers [9.3 miles] southwest of the city.” MAD’s press release stated. The planning, design, and the entire process were curated to respect the original site, while also focusing on accessibility, an attempt to inspire tourism and highlight the beautiful characteristics of the mountain airport.

The structure will have a height of almost 79 feet, and it will occupy 130,000 square feet. The interior of the airport will feature an attractive curving wood finish and a massive central skylight. This will be paired with large windows, to maximize the natural light inside. The entire layout will be arranged to ensure easy travel, with the departure facilities located on the ground floor, to offer easy access, while the waiting areas will be located upstairs.

“Covering 2,267 hectares [roughly 5,600 acres] of land with a maximum fill height difference of nearly 100 meters [almost 330 ft], the airport adopts a large silver-white overhanging roof resembling a white-feathered bird ready to soar. The bird-like form absorbs the elevation changes and merges the airport into the mountains, making the airport a spiritual landmark in the region,” said MAD Architects. The airport will be able to accommodate almost 5 million passengers per year by 2030, with an additional international terminal being considered as an expansion too.

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MAD Architects Unveils A Partially Sunken Train Station In Southeast China

Posted on 09/02/2024 by Srishti Mitra

Renowned architectural firm MAD Architects recently unveiled an impressive new train station in Southeast China. The entire project revolved around rebuilding a 100-year-old train station, and completely recreating it brick-by-brick, and it now functions as a massive modern transport hub that is partially sunken underground.

Designer: MAD Architects

Dubbed the Jiaxing Train Station or the Train Station in the Forest, the original station was constructed in 1907, and then later destroyed and rebuilt in 1937. In 1995 it went through another redesign, and in 2019 it was deemed far too small for modern requirements, and MAD was commissioned to give it a total makeover. The station was a key transport link in the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921, and MAD drew inspiration from this. What’s interesting is that they recreated the original train station, after inferring with experts, and taking loads of old photos and documents into consideration, they successfully created a replica. 21,000 bricks made from mud, and pulled from a nearby lake were used to build the structure, and most of it is underground.

“MAD envisioned a new station that would be both more humane and efficient than its predecessor,” explained the Chinese studio. “The overall design of the interior maintains a dialogue with the recreated 1907 station through a glass facade that clearly expresses the height difference of the two structures from the entrance.

The building’s entry, and exit platforms, major transport and commercial functions, as well as waiting halls, are now underground, which goes against the traditional design concept. The railway station now accommodates three platforms, and six lines, with two arrival and departure lines on each of the upstream and downstream main lines. By 2025, the station will be able to accommodate 5.28 million people/year, with an hourly capacity of 2500 people.

Since the structure is sunken, MAD was able to play around with the landscape, and they planted almost 1500 new trees, while rearranging the site to mimic rolling green hills. It is also connected to a park and a central lawn which will serve as an outdoor venue for concerts and art festivals. Sustainability was also incorporated into the train station, as solar panels were installed, which reduced the draw on the power grid. Generous glazing was used to maximize natural light.

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Architects designed this curved skyscraper to ensure the nearby buildings get enough sunlight too

Posted on 09/05/2023 by Sarang Sheth

High-rises are great for views… unless you’re in the neighboring building whose sunset is now blocked by a concrete monstrosity. Designed to overcome that state of affairs, this uniquely shaped skyscraper from MAD Architects hopes to give neighboring buildings ample access to natural light and views of the sky. Located in Quito, Ecuador, the skyscraper (named Qondesa) will be the city’s tallest building, with a height of 130m (425ft.). Its rather eye-catching shape is designed to be an improvement over the rigid, vertical skyscrapers seen in most cities. The curved profile on the sides ensures that the building doesn’t always block the light for residents living behind it. As the sun rises or sets, it peeks through the building’s curves at certain intervals in the day, allowing neighbors to get ample access to natural light throughout the day and even the year.

Designer: MAD Architects

At first glance, the most striking element of the Qondesa Skyscraper is its fluid, curving façade resembling a waveform frozen mid-motion. The softened edges of the building contrast sharply with the angular urban environment around it. The design of the building emulates vines that twist together as they climb upwards. Each balcony on the Qondesa is also supplemented with lush greenery, giving the skyscraper a pleasing contrast to the concrete appearance seen in most skyscrapers. Aside from its undulating silhouette, the use of locally sourced materials contributes to the sense of unity with nature. Stone cladding blends seamlessly into native hardwoods, evoking the rugged terrain surrounding Quito. On one hand, these elements add texture and depth to the otherwise sleek lines of the tower; on the other, they serve as a reminder of Ecuador’s lush ecosystems.

The architectural design of the Qondesa serves another rather altruistic purpose too. Designed to be a pretty imposing building in Quito’s neighborhood, the skyscraper also ensures that buildings around it aren’t affected too much by its presence. The curved format ensures neighboring buildings get ample access to natural light and good views during the day. Sure, the skyscraper does end up obstructing some views, but its curved shape minimizes its overall impact, so that everyone benefits from the city’s brilliant hilly, open skyline.

“Growing from the earth to the sky, Qondesa’s exterior facade emulates twisting vines weaving around the building to taper at its top, and sprout greenery which form planters throughout the building’s balconies,” explained the team at MAD Architects. “In addition, the exterior shape of Qondesa is designed so as not to block natural light and views from the surrounding buildings.”

The building comprises urban apartments that are designed to provide a comfortable and intimate living experience. It is conveniently located near the Iñaquito Metro station, providing easy access to Quito’s main destinations. Additionally, it is situated across from La Carolina Park, a 67-hectare green space that offers a perfect blend of leisure, business, and living. The architects have created multiple amenities and communal areas too, promoting a sense of community among the residents.

MAD’s upcoming project, Qondesa, is set to be their first venture in South America. The project will be situated in Quito, Ecuador’s second-largest city with a population upward of 2.8 million. Notable towers from other famed architects like BIG’s Iqon and Carlos Zapata Studio’s Unique are also making their mark on the city’s skyline.

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This futuristic ferry terminal looks like an alien’s gantry and will begin construction in November 2022!

Posted on 16/01/2022 by Shawn McNulty-Kowal

The Chongqing Cuntan International Cruise Centre is an upcoming futuristic ferry terminal designed by MAD Architects for Chongqing near the Yangtze River.

Terminals and transportation centers are escapist by design, bringing us either to some bygone era or somewhere in the distant future. Take the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy Airport or the recently renovated King’s Cross Train Station—the former brings us back to the 60s, while the latter takes us to some crossover between the 1920s and the 21st century.

Still, early on in its conceptualization phase, the Chongqing Cuntan International Cruise Centre is an upcoming project from MAD Architects, that transforms an existing cargo terminal in Chongqing, China into a futuristic ferry terminal.

Created in collaboration with the China Academy of Building Research, the Chongqing Cuntan International Cruise Centre will be located on a 710,500 square-foot site in Chongqing, China near the Yangtze River. The completed structure will comprise six interconnected buildings that will rise above the ground, measuring 430 meters in length.

Designed with a surrealist edge, the Chongqing Cuntan International Cruise Centre will reflect the setting sun and golden hour with a curving orange aluminum exterior. Inside the ferry terminal, guests can enjoy plenty of retail spaces, restaurants, larger rooms described as “urban halls,” which will each be brightened with natural sunlight that pours in through numerous skylights and bounces off lush greenery throughout the terminal.

While construction is due to start in November 2022, the project will not reach completion until 2027. As the architects at MAD note, “We have designed the elevated buildings as if they were a futuristic, free-walking city, seemingly arriving here from elsewhere, and perhaps traveling elsewhere once again someday.

“Chongqing has mountains and waters. However, the Yangtze River is more than just a natural landscape in Chongqing. Because of human activities such as shipping traffic and industrial transport, this mountain city is also full of energy and movement.

“We want to transform this energy in Chongqing from traces of industry into energy that stimulates the imagination. People can feel the kinetic energy of the city here, but also imagine the public spaces of the future.”

Designer: MAD Architects

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Fluid Inspired Architecture

Posted on 25/05/2016 by Sarang Sheth

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In a world where buildings look like they’re made from Lego blocks, the UNIC stands out like an alien structure amidst civilization. The UNIC’s appeal lies in its fluid construction, giving each floor a unique amoeboid shape. When put together, all the floors make a quirky three dimensional form that allows the UNIC to beautifully punctuate the skyline!

Designer: MAD Architects

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