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Ma Yansong

73quotes

Full Name and Common Aliases


Ma Yansong is a Chinese-born architect, artist, and founder of the architecture firm MAD Architects.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on May 6, 1975, in Beijing, China.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Chinese nationality; Architect, Artist.

Early Life and Background


Ma Yansong was born in Beijing in 1975 to a family of artists. His father was an architect and his mother a painter. Ma's early life was spent exploring the city's urban landscape, which would later influence his design philosophy. He studied architecture at the Tsinghua University in Beijing before pursuing his master's degree at the Yale University School of Architecture.

Major Accomplishments


Ma Yansong is known for his futuristic and nature-inspired designs that blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Some of his notable projects include:

Harbin Opera House: A symphony hall with an undulating roof inspired by mountains.
 Ordos Museum: A series of interconnected buildings designed to resemble ancient Chinese watchtowers.
* Amphitheatre at Harbin Institute of Technology: An outdoor performance space with a distinctive, swirling design.

Notable Works or Actions


Ma's designs have been showcased in various international exhibitions and have received numerous awards. He has also written several books on architecture and design philosophy.

Impact and Legacy


Ma Yansong's work has had a significant impact on the field of architecture. His emphasis on harmonizing buildings with their surroundings has influenced a new generation of architects. His designs often blur the lines between nature and architecture, creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Ma Yansong is widely quoted and remembered for his innovative approach to design. His emphasis on sustainability, harmony with nature, and blending of cultural traditions has resonated with architects, artists, and designers around the world.

Quotes by Ma Yansong

A door handle is very symbolic to me. It is the first object that one will interact with before entering a new space.
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A door handle is very symbolic to me. It is the first object that one will interact with before entering a new space.
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Historically, sci-fi movies have played an important role in inspiring young people.
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Historically, sci-fi movies have played an important role in inspiring young people.
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Since the Beijing Olympics in 2008, our office has been discussing how we can make architecture more human and at one with nature. We need to ask ourselves, what legacy do we want to leave behind on humankind's urban culture?
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Since the Beijing Olympics in 2008, our office has been discussing how we can make architecture more human and at one with nature. We need to ask ourselves, what legacy do we want to leave behind on humankind's urban culture?
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Architects think that beauty is a crime.
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Architects think that beauty is a crime.
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I actually feel like a very traditional architect.
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I actually feel like a very traditional architect.
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If you look at ancient Chinese paintings, you see mountains, but they are not real mountains; it is something the artists imagined.
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If you look at ancient Chinese paintings, you see mountains, but they are not real mountains; it is something the artists imagined.
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There must be a way to combine the high rise and high-density environment with nature. Maybe we can have our gardens in the sky.
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There must be a way to combine the high rise and high-density environment with nature. Maybe we can have our gardens in the sky.
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I grew up in the old neighborhood of Beijing where you had a courtyard and trees. Actually, the whole of Beijing was a garden - the Forbidden City - and the lakes and gardens in the city center were all artificial.
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I grew up in the old neighborhood of Beijing where you had a courtyard and trees. Actually, the whole of Beijing was a garden - the Forbidden City - and the lakes and gardens in the city center were all artificial.
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The way a human can coexist with nature has to be at the spiritual level.
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The way a human can coexist with nature has to be at the spiritual level.
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I don't like to talk about sustainability, because sometimes I see green buildings that don't appear any different from those in the past.
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I don't like to talk about sustainability, because sometimes I see green buildings that don't appear any different from those in the past.
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