A new innovation centre in China’s Silicon Valley

In Beijing, MAD Architects have designed a 65,000 sqm research centre that blends in with the surrounding landscape.

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Zhu Yumeng

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo ChillShine

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Zhu Yumeng

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Masterplan

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Technical Diagram

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024 Exploded Diagram

The ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing's technology district and home to high-tech companies, start-ups and research institutes, is the new home of the ZGC Forum, a global international event on innovation and development launched in 2007. Ma Yansong with MAD Architects has designed a 65,000 square metre building which, with its biomorphic shape and 17,000 square metres of green roof, is a direct extension of the surrounding landscape. It is, in effect, a 'park on the roof', with tree-lined paths and rest areas. The roof itself, developed as a cantilever, provides a shaded space on the ground floor, creating an additional zone of interaction and reflecting the project's concept based on the connection between people, the city and the environment.

At night, the curves of the building are accentuated by temperature-controlled lighting that follows the contours of the roof louvres, creating a pseudo-futuristic effect. 

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Zhu Yumeng

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo ChillShine

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Zhu Yumeng

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo CreatAR Images

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Photo Arch Exist

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Masterplan

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Technical Diagram

MAD Architects, ZGC International Innovation Center, Beijing, China 2024

Exploded Diagram