Skeletons, flowers and fashion inspire MAD Architects' Xinhee Design Center

– Ma Yansong
Construction is underway on the latest sculptural building designed by MAD Architects; a translucent, star-shaped design hub in the Chinese city Xiamen for fashion giant Xinhee.
The building, called the Xinhee Design Center, will have a public atrium at its core with a footbridge used as a catwalk for fashion shows. From there, six long spanning structures will extend out in different directions – like petals growing from a central point – creating a skeleton-like frame covered by a sun-shading envelope of see-through PTFE.
“We envision it as a building with skin-and-bones,” said MAD founder Ma Yansong. “The correspondence of clothing and architecture is they both explore the relationship between the interior and the exterior. It’s interesting for a building with such an intrinsically logical structure to look floating and free.”
The 61,000sq m (656,600sq ft) centre will be occupied by Xinhee and six of its subsidiary brands, which will each have offices in one of the extending arms of the building. Public leisure space in the building will revolve around the atrium, which will have indoor gardens and water features that link to green space outside.
In the summer months, cool air will be naturally ventilated through each level of the building due to its lifted structure. In the colder winter months the atrium will be transformed into a sun-filled greenhouse below the glass-enclosed roof.
Construction on the project is expected to be completed by 2017.
MAD have developed a reputation for their organically-shaped, flowing buildings which often take inspiration from the natural world. Last year the studio completed work on the mountain-like Harbin Opera House in China. They are also the design team behind George Lucas’ planned Museum of Narrative Art, which the Star Wars creator is currently seeking a home for.
MAD Architects Ma Yansong China Xinhee Xinhee Design Center Xiamen architecture design





MAD unveil sculptural ‘Invisible Border’ installation at 2016 Milan Design Week
MAD Architects are building a floating art museum in China
MAD Architects' twisting, theatrical Harbin Opera House opens in China
MAD architects reveal revised plans for George Lucas' Museum of Narrative Art


London's Battersea Power Station prepares for major launch

Weiss/Manfredi and Reed Hilderbrand reveal US$250m redevelopment for Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia

Baca Architects submits scheme for floating eco-wellness resort

MVRDV reveal ambitious plans to create Marble Arch visitor attraction for London

Coventry's former IKEA building slated to become arts and cultural centre of international importance

World's first entirely wooden stadium approved for use by EFL

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter and ASP Architecture create hidden nature retreat inspired by hygge and Nordic hospitality

Zaha Hadid’s Opus building houses spa designed by The Wellness

Meow Wolf creates mind-blowing Las Vegas attraction – Omega Mart

BRC selected to design new World Food Center – will explore sustainability and global food supply

Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens with luxury spa at Japanese alpine ski resort

Scott Brownrigg-designed Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff given planning approval

Work starts on US$898m e-sports arena in Shanghai

Gyms added to the mix for new super-luxe retail roll-out

OMA designs Miami Beach's ReefLine – a seven mile-long underwater sculpture park

Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban team up to design art and cultural destination in Hangzhou

FIFA files criminal complaint over funding of €459m world football museum

ReardonSmith leads design of Heya – a hotel room concept offering personalisation for each guest

Disney reveals first visuals of ambitious Star Wars attraction – including designs for hotel 'pods'

Flaxmill Maltings – the world's first cast-iron framed building – is to be redeveloped as a visitor attraction by Mather & Co

LVMH announces Bulgari Hotel for Miami Beach, with design by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Technogym opens retail store in Los Angeles

AZPML and UKST win competition to design Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture

Delos partners with TPP Capital to advance access to health and wellbeing solutions in urban communities

The Well creates integrated wellness retreat in New England countryside for Auberge Resorts

Architects 10 Design reveal plans for ambitious Edinburgh city centre plans

Perth's Boola Bardip museum opens in new AU$400m building designed by Hassell and OMA

UK Government's £1bn scheme to decarbonise is 'a huge opportunity' for the leisure industries

Museum devoted to the history of the US Army opens its doors
