Ma Yansong Livres

Offering a comprehensive examination of a pivotal contemporary architecture practice from China, this book delves into its significant contributions and innovations. It highlights the firm’s influence on modern architectural trends and explores key projects that showcase its unique approach. Readers will gain insights into the cultural, social, and political contexts that shape the practice, making it essential for anyone interested in the evolution of architecture in a globalized world.

MAD DINNER is the first book by MAD office, Beijing-based architectural office. Organized around the metaphor of dinner table conversation, the book is a collection of ideas and opinions about topics ranging from politics to ecology to fame to the future. The dinner's "guests" include people from all levels of Chinese society: a government official, hairdresser, migrant laborers, a doctor, a taxi driver, and a developer are all brought together to offer their views in an atmosphere of openness and exchange. MAD's work is embedded in a series of extended conversations with international advisors, including the Swiss curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, British writer Ian Buruma, filmmakers Zhang Yimou and Jia Zhangke, and the artist Ai Weiwei. The conversations work in tandem with MAD's proposals to reveal their essential account of the architect's practice and experience inside of China, the fastest urbanization in world history.

Set in a captivating future, this work presents a visionary perspective shaped by Ma Yansong, a prominent figure in contemporary architecture. It explores innovative designs and concepts that reflect a blend of sensuality and seduction, showcasing the potential of a new architectural era in China. The narrative highlights the creativity and ambition of a leading firm, emphasizing the transformative power of architecture in shaping urban environments.