MAD Architects Design a ‘Cloud by The Sea’ in China

MAD Architects reveals its cloud-like design for a multi-purpose cultural center for Aranya, China. The Cloud Center will take place in Qinhuangdao, near the Beidaihe coastline in northeastern China, and will be the seaside community’s new focal point and public hub.

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As stated by MAD Architects, the center was designed to imitate a ‘floating cloud by the sea’. The 3,853 square meter site is planned and designed to give this overall futuristic, cosmic theme. The form of the Cloud Center rises close to the ground through tapered glazed walls that provide views to the surrounding greenery, the walls are topped with an over-hanging roof that is clad in white-stained glass. The solid and void effect of the glazed walls and the white-clad roof give the center this ‘floating’ feeling.

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“When viewed from a distance, the building appears as a ‘cloud floating in the forest’ with a polished, reflective form activated by the changing light, sky, and landscape,” MAD Architects explained.

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The interior of the Cloud Center is featured by a central core that carries and creates balance for the roof, making the center a column-free space. In this project, MAD Architects is influenced by the clouds, as well as space. The fluted ceiling complements the overall futuristic theme of the building, with lighting and skylights featured in its flutes, giving it a galaxy-like appearance.

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The building will host exhibitions, theatre activities, and conferences. These functions will be facilitated with the flexibility of the open-plan interior and moveable walls. Around the Cloud Center, the sculptural gardens are surrounded by tapering walls of different heights and a café. MAD Architects takes the space theme to the surrounding gardens by placing hard rocks that imitate the organic appearance of the cloud center and represent the shapes and forms of planets.

“This cosmic theme continues within the garden, where a series of white rocks and undulating greenery evoke the imagery of floating planets dotted across the universe,” the studio said.

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The visitors of the center are welcomed through a flowy road that runs parallel to a pool that reflects the Cloud Center and the sky clouds–blending the building into the far above nature.

Courtesy of MAD architects

The construction of the Cloud Center began in March 2021 and is expected to be completed and opened in 2022.

MAD Architects is a global architecture firm that was founded in Beijing in 2004 and led by Ma Yansong. Its designs are known to be futuristic and organic. The MAD studio recently revealed two art installations that represent light and darkness. The architects focus on adopting new technologies along with philosophical thoughts, to express the natural and spiritual identity of the Eastern World.