MAD explores the future city with centre pompidou exhibition in paris

ten of MAD architects’ most significant projects are being showcased as part of a year-long display at the centre pompidou in paris. titled ‘MAD X’, the permanent collection exhibition exemplifies the evolution of MAD’s architectural practice and design philosophy since its establishment in 2004. ‘while ‘X’ represents the ten projects that are on show, it also has another meaning — ‘X’ also signifies the ‘unknown’,’ says ma yansong, founder and principal partner of MAD. ‘with ‘X,’ I hope to express my desire for exploring unchartered territory, which I believe is more important than reiterating the past.’

all images by jared chulski

the scenography of ‘MAD X’ sees the collection of 12 models forming an island at the center of the exhibition space. collectively, they seek to create a harmonious new city that expresses the feeling of ‘landscape’ often experienced in many of MAD’s works. this ‘landscape’ emerges between images and words, sketches and poems, like pages of a book floating in the atmosphere. contrasting the actuality of the rigid cities in which the projects are individually located, MAD’s projects form a future city of ‘dream architecture’, which nurtures a spiritual connection between humanity and nature.

lucas museum of narrative art, los angeles, USA | read more on designboom here

‘this invitation to MAD is precisely because of the uniqueness of the firm’s creations,’ says frédéric migayrou, deputy director of the centre pompidou, and curator of ‘MAD X’. ‘contemporary architecture needs more architects like ma yansong, young architects who bravely challenge and influence more young people, the general public, and decision makers to think about the future of design.’

lucas museum of narrative art, los angeles, USA

the exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue entitled ‘MAD X – 10 projects by MAD architects’ featuring contributions by frédéric migayrou and frédéric edelmann, architecture critic for le monde. the book is illustrated with models, sketches, and photographs by iwan baan, hélène binet, hufton+crow and adam mørk, portraying the same atmospheric impression that MAD has instilled into its work. ‘MAD X’ remains on view at the centre pompidou, paris until april 2020.


lucas museum of narrative art, los angeles, USA

clover house, okazaki, japan | read more on designboom here

chaoyang park plaza, beijing, china | read more on designboom here

east 34th, new york city, USA | read more on designboom here

harbin opera house, harbin, china | read more on designboom here

nanjing zendai himalayas center, nanjing, china | read more on designboom here

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project info:

exhibition title: MAD X
location: permanent collection exhibition, 
room 28, floor 4, centre pompidou, paris, france

dates: april 2019 – april 2020
MAD architects’ principal partners: ma yansong, dang qun, yosuke hayano
MAD architects’ associate partners: liu huiying, kin li, tiffany dahlen, fu changrui, andrea d’antrassi, lu junliang (dixon), flora lee

curator: frédéric migayrou
scenography: ma yansong
MAD’s curatorial design team: tammy xie, andrea chin, esther greslin, ma yue, li ran
‘MAD X – 10 projects by MAD architects’ can be purchased online from HYX, or through amazon