Could MAD’s building bring big ideas to northern China?
The firm's new conference centre aims to bring bright ideas and brilliant conversation to Yabuli, the Davos of China
Yabuli, the winter sports resort near Harbin, up by the border with Russia, is sometimes described as the Davos of China. It already hosts the annual China Entrepreneurs Forum, and local developers hope to attract more business leaders to this spot in Heilongjiang, China’s most northerly, province, by commissioning one of the country’s greatest architectural practice, Ma Yangsong's firm MAD, to create this eye-catching conference centre.
Work began on The Yabuli Conference Centre last year and is due to complete in 2020. Despite its striking looks, MAD says the building is designed to fit into the alpine surroundings.
“Casually mirroring its mountainous backdrop, it reaches a maximum height of 24 meters, allowing it to settle quietly into the landscape,” explains the practice. “While humble in its presence, it does not lose the dynamic atmosphere of northern China – integrated with the sky, the ground, the snow, the forest, and the mountains.”
The building’s interior, meanwhile, aims to foster inner contemplation and dialogue. “The focal point is a skylight positioned at the centre of the roof that allows natural light to flood into the interior,” says MAD. “It acts as a symbolic metaphor for the bright ideas and brilliant discussions generated during the events held within.” Let's hope so.
To see more of MAD’s work order a copy of our book on the architects, MAD Works, here.