Login
Registered users
The Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ national museum for architecture, design, and digital culture, is hosting the exhibition “Ma Yansong: Architecture and Emotion.” Open until October 12, 2025, this is the first major retrospective dedicated to the work of MAD Architects in the Netherlands. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into the studio’s journey under the leadership of its founder, Ma Yansong.
Founded in 2004 and led by Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, and Yosuke Hayano, MAD is renowned for its approach that transcends mere building functionality. The studio focuses on reimagining the relationship between humans, nature, and the built environment, aiming to create profound experiences and emotional connections through spatial design.
Curated by Aric Chen, General and Artistic Director of the Nieuwe Instituut, along with Tijn van de Wijdeven and Emily Wijns, the exhibition highlights how MAD uses architecture to evoke emotion and address today’s environmental and social challenges.
>>> Discover CO-EXIST, the Chinese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, curated by Ma Yansong
The narrative unfolds across seven chapters: MAD in China, Absolute Towers, Shanshui City, Embodied Nature, Layered Futures, Connective Landscapes, and MAD People. Through these, visitors can explore the history, projects, and ideas that define MAD’s trajectory, with an in-depth look at 27 architectural and artistic works. Each section focuses on a specific aspect of MAD’s philosophy and evolution, offering a comprehensive view of their innovative approach.
The exhibition also includes an interactive area where visitors can use AR technology to transform simple sketches into three-dimensional spatial models, actively involving the audience in the creative process and making the experience even more immersive.
Cover Image © Ossip van Duivenbode
