MAD architects reveals plans for xinhee design center in southeast china

MAD architects’ design for the ‘xinhee design center’ is currently under construction in xiamen, a port city on china’s southeast coast. the complex is organized around a central atrium, with six long spanning structures extending out from the central core. consequently, the building forms a star-shaped layout, which formalizes a solid structural frame. ‘we envision it as a building with skin-and-bones,’ explains MAD founding principal ma yansong, ‘the correspondence of clothing and architecture is they both explore the relationship between the interior and the exterior.’

a translucent PTFE envelope is elegantly draped over the structure
all images courtesy of MAD architects

MAD’s plans offer a mix of office spaces and green gardens within each of the organically-formed ‘arms’. a translucent PTFE envelope is elegantly draped over the structure, providing ventilation and shade during the hot seasons. designed for international fashion group, xinhee, and its six subsidiary brands, the project has a total site area of 15,000 square meters with built area of 61,000 square meters. ‘it is interesting for a building with such an intrinsically logical structure to look floating and free,’ adds ma yansong.

the lifted nature of the structure reduces the building’s footprint by two-thirds

the design mimics a series of petals, growing from a central point. each of the six brands has its own individual office and research space, yet is able to interact and communicate with other departments. unlike traditional corporate ‘boxes’, the radial layout enables the office space to be both efficient and flexible. open to staff and visitors, the central atrium serves as communal space. here, a footbridge provides air circulation, and doubles as a catwalk for occasional fashion shows. a constant connection between internal and external space extends the design center’s public interaction from the office space to the outside gardens.

the design mimics a series of petals, growing from a central point

intended to be as efficient as possible, the design center adapts to the local climate. the lifted nature of the structure reduces the building’s footprint by two-thirds, while the first floor mainly consists of garden and water features, which are open to the public. during summer months, cool air reaches each level of the scheme, while in winter, the atrium transforms into a sun-filled greenhouse beneath the glass roof.

a footbridge provides air circulation, and doubles as a catwalk for occasional fashion shows

to lower solar radiation and provide natural lighting to the office, a translucent coating is applied to the building’s façade, which permits 40% light transmittance. in addition, the roof is topped with solar panels, providing electricity for daily operations. the ‘xinhee design center’ is currently under construction, and is expected to be in-use in 2017. see more projects by MAD architects on designboom here.

a constant connection is established between internal and external space

the project is currently under construction, and is expected to be in-use in 2017

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project info:

location: xiamen, china
typology: office
status: under construction
site area: 15,624 sqm
building area: 61,534.6 sqm
building height: 45.5 m
directors: ma yansong, dang qun, yosuke hayano
design team: j travis russett, flora lee, liu huiying, fu changrui, xu chen, julian sattler, jei kim, jakob beer, younjin park, liu ling, ma ning, sear nee, zhu jinglu, liang zhongyi, sarita tejasmit, natalia giacomino

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