Beijing-born architect Ma Yansong is recognized as an important voice in the new generation of architects. He is the first Chinese architect to win an overseas landmark-building project. Ma is committed to developing futuristic, organic, and technologically-advanced designs that embody a contemporary interpretation of the Eastern affinity for nature. With a vision for the city of the future based in the spiritual and emotional needs of residents, he endeavors to create a balance between humanity, the city, and the environment.
Founded MAD Architects in 2004, Ma leads design across various scales, including urban planning, urban complexes, municipal buildings, museums, theaters, concert halls, and housing, as well as art and design. At MAD, Ma has created a series of imaginative works, including the Absolute Towers, Harbin Opera House, Quzhou Sports Park, Jiaxing Train Station, Yuecheng Courtyard Kindergarten, etc. In 2014, Ma was selected as the principal designer for Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, making him the first Chinese architect to design an overseas cultural landmark. His ongoing public projects include the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, Fenix Museum of Migration in Rotterdam, and the Shenzhen Bay Cultural Park in China. Parallel to his design practice, he has also been exploring with the public the cultural values of cities and architecture through domestic and international solo exhibitions, publications and art works.
In 2006, Ma was awarded the “Young Architects Award” by the Architectural League of New York. Fast Company respectively named him one of the “10 Most Creative People in Architecture in 2009”. In 2010 he became the first architect from China to receive a RIBA international fellowship. In 2014 he was awarded “Young Global Leaders (YGL)” by World Economic Forum. In 2015, he was listed as one of the “100 Most Creative People in Business” by Surface, and “30 Most Influential Chinese Architects” by Forbes. In 2016, he was honored as “Certificate of Recognition” by City of Los Angeles. From 2019 to 2021, he was awarded as “China’s Most Influential Designer” for three years by Architectural Digest. In 2022, MAD Architects was recognized as “Best Cultural Firm” by Fast Company, and became the first architectural firm to win this award in China.
Ma holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Yale University, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Beijing Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture. Ma had served as visiting professor in Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tsinghua University, University of Southern California and Yale University.
