This concept building by MAD Architects aims to change the cityscape of Chongqing, China. The commercial high-rise building is inspired by the mountainous landscape of the country and consists of layers of abstracted floors that rise towards the sky in a tilted, curvilinear fashion. Each level’s interior of the cylindrical structure has full-length glass windows with a transparent, wrap around balcony with trees and plants interspersed on different floors. The design unites nature and the urban metropolis.

MAD Architects has completed their design for the Taichung Convention Center, the first project in Taiwan commissioned by the Taichung city government. Their aim was to conceive a space that weaves together architecture, public space and urban landscape, and gives a futuristic feel to the age-old Eastern philosophy of architecture echoing its inhabiting landscape. Innovative in both its design and function, the project includes an “eco-skin,” transparent on one side to allow light to penetrate, and solid on the other. Enough air flow enters the building to naturally ventilate the spaces, and the pleating integrates a double photovoltaic glass to reduce energy consumption levels.