MAD architects creates an undulating landscape of residential buildings in eastern china

MAD architects has completed the first phase of a tourism masterplan for a setting in china’s anhui province known for its picturesque mountain ranges. the ‘huangshan mountain village’ forms part of a UNESCO heritage site, which has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years. the ten buildings that make up the development have different heights and appearances, and have been shaped to align with the original topography of the mountains. consequently, the structures — which are located along the southern slope of the taiping lake — form their own undulating landscape.

the project is the first phase of a larger masterplan
image by laurian ghinitoiu (main image by shu he)

the MAD-designed residences have been envisioned as quiet retreats, with expansive balconies shaped in response to the nearby tea fields. while providing the conveniences of modern living, the apartments also seek to convey the significance of the culturally important surroundings. the generous amount of outdoor space allows residents to immerse themselves in the landscape, further establishing a relationship with the mountainous backdrop. meanwhile, pathways determined by the terrain naturally meander across the secluded site.

the region is known for its picturesque mountain ranges
image by laurian ghinitoiu

‘the impression we have of taiping lake in huangshan is vague: each visit to this place yields different views, different impressions,’ explains ma yansong, founder and principal partner of MAD architects. ‘it is a bit mysterious, like ancient shanshui landscape paintings that are never based on realism, but rather, the imagination. this inexplicable feeling is always poetic; it is obscure and indistinct. this is the basic idea: we hope that residents will not just look at the scenery, but see themselves in relation to this environment, attention that is brought inward. in observing oneself, one perhaps begins to notice a different self than the one present in the city.’

the area has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years
image by laurian ghinitoiu

the scheme is part of a larger tourism masterplan for the region around taiping lake, a setting known for its spectacular scenery and distinct granite peaks. ‘huangshan mountain village’ is another example of ma yansong’s ‘shanshui city’ ideology — an architectural philosophy which, rather than mimicking the forms of nature, creates spaces where people can reconnect with nature on a spiritual level. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

the ten buildings that make up the development have different heights and appearances
image by laurian ghinitoiu

generous outdoor space allows residents to immerse themselves in the landscape
image by laurian ghinitoiu

the expansive balconies are shaped in response to the nearby tea fields
image by laurian ghinitoiu

the apartments seek to convey the significance of the culturally important surroundings
image by laurian ghinitoiu

the structures form their own undulating landscape
image by fernando guerra

the development is located along the southern slope of the taiping lake
image by fernando guerra

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project info:

name: huangshan mountain village
location: huangshan, china
dates: 2009-2017
site area: 1,186,520 sqm

building area: 613,200 sqm

huangshan mountain village (phase one)
site area: 189,882 sqm
building area: 69,586 sqm
typology: residential 


principals in charge: ma yansong, qun dang, yosuke hayano

associate in charge: liu huiying
team: philippe brysse, tiffany masako dahlen, luke lu, wang deyuan, jakob beer, zhao wei, li guangchong, kayla lee, geraldine lo, alejandra obregon, zeng lingdong, achille tortini, matthew rosen, gustavo maya, zheng fang, sarita tejasmit, augustus chan, jeong-eun lee

clients: greenland hong kong holdings limited
executive architect: HSarchitects
interior design: suzhou gold mantis construction decoration
landscape design: broadacre source landscape
curtain wall design: xi’an aircraft industrial decoration engineering co., ltd
lighting design: shanghai mofo lighting

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