Notable Roles | - Founder & Principal Architect, MAD Architects (2004–present) |
Key Recognition | - First Chinese architect to design an overseas landmark (Absolute Towers, Canada) |
Background and Early Foundations
Born in 1975 in Beijing, China, Ma Yansong grew up among the concrete blocks of a transforming capital city. He studied architecture at Beijing’s Tsinghua University and later earned his Master’s from Yale. Influenced by sci-fi, traditional landscape painting, and the voids of Chinese gardens, he set out to redefine what urban design could feel like. In 2004, he founded MAD Architects to create structures that feel alive — works that look to the sky, fold into the earth, and embrace emotion over efficiency.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2004 | Founded MAD Architects in Beijing with focus on futuristic, emotive architecture |
2006 | Designed Absolute Towers in Canada, dubbed “Marilyn Monroe Towers” |
2011 | Presented “Shan Shui City” vision at Venice Biennale, merging nature with urbanism |
2014 | Appointed to design the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in the U.S. |
2023 | Completed Quzhou Stadium, a nature-infused subterranean design celebrated globally |
- Projects Completed: 40+ major works across 15 countries
- Team Size (2025): 140+ architects and designers worldwide
- International Awards: 20+ including WAN, Iconic Awards, Architizer
- Annual Exhibitions/Installations: 10+ across Asia, Europe, and North America
- Academic Appointments: 3 global institutions
Leadership Style and Influence
Ma Yansong is a visionary architect who leads by redefining the emotional relationship between people, space, and nature. His design leadership blends East Asian philosophy with avant-garde aesthetics, influencing a new generation of environmentally attuned architects.
Legacy and Future Focus
Ma continues to shape a new architectural identity for China on the world stage — one that embraces organic forms, poetic rhythm, and sustainability. His future projects focus on public architecture and urban landscapes that heal and inspire.
