Ma Yansong: Architectural Pioneer of Emotion and Innovation

Ma Yansong: The Visionary Architect Blending Nature with Cities

In the world of modern architecture, Ma Yansong stands out as a creator of emotional, futuristic, and nature-inspired buildings. As the founder of MAD Architects, a globally recognized architecture firm based in Beijing, Ma Yansong has gained international praise for his bold designs and humanistic approach to city building.

Recently, TIME Magazine named Ma Yansong in its list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2025, honoring his impact on global architecture and cultural spaces.

A New Way of Thinking About Architecture

Ma Yansong believes that architecture should not only serve function but also touch the heart. His signature style blends natural forms, traditional Eastern philosophy, and futuristic design to create buildings that feel alive and emotional.

He calls this approach “Shanshui City” — inspired by traditional Chinese landscape paintings where mountains (shan) and water (shui) live in harmony. According to Ma, cities should also feel organic, peaceful, and human-centered — not just built with concrete and glass.

Notable Achievements of Ma Yansong

Over the past two decades, Ma Yansong has designed iconic buildings across China, Europe, and North America. Some of his major works include:

Absolute Towers (Canada): Nicknamed the “Marilyn Monroe Towers” for their curvy shape, these skyscrapers in Mississauga, Ontario, became global symbols of futuristic architecture.
Harbin Opera House (China): A stunning white building that blends with the snowy landscape, it’s often called one of the most beautiful theaters in the world.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (USA): Commissioned by George Lucas (creator of Star Wars), this museum in Los Angeles is one of Ma’s most high-profile international projects.
Fenix Museum of Migration (Netherlands): Recently opened in May 2025, this Rotterdam museum highlights global migration stories with a dramatic double-helix staircase known as “The Tornado.”
CO-EXIST, China Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2025: Ma curated this powerful exhibition showing how architecture can blend tradition, ecology, and future technologies.

Why TIME Honoured Him in the Top 100 List

Ma Yansong was selected for the TIME 100 Most Influential People 2025 because of:

✅ His ability to merge culture, nature, and futuristic design into architecture.
✅ His efforts to humanize urban spaces in an increasingly industrial world.
✅ His leadership as an Asian voice in global design, bringing Chinese philosophy to international platforms.
✅ His recent projects that focus on healing, emotion, and environmental awareness, especially after the global challenges of COVID-19 and climate change.

TIME praised him for “not just designing buildings but changing how we feel inside them.”