Dialogue
An Evening With: Ma Yansong
Meet Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD Architects, the practice he runs with Dang Qun and Yosuke Hayano. During this latest edition of An Evening With, he sits down with Aric Chen, director of the Nieuwe Instituut, to talk about his design philosophy, working methods and collaboration on the exhibition, Ma Yansong: Architecture and Emotion.
On this evening, Nieuwe Instituut celebrates the launch of the publication Fenix – a Museum as Metaphor. The publications shows the transformation of Fenix warehouse ll, designed by MAD. With texts by Ma Yansong, Anne Kremers, Wim Pijbes, András Szántó and Andrea d’Antrassi. Rotterdam photographer Rubén Dario Kleimeer documented the transformation of the warehouse between 2021 and 2025.
Programme
- 19:30 – Welcome
- 19:35 – Ma Yansong in Conversation with Aric Chen
- 20:20 – Launch of Fenix – A Museum as a Metaphor by Anne Kremers about the museum’s first month open
- 20:30 – Conversation between Aric Chen, Ma Yansong, Rubén Dario Kleimeer, András Szántó and Anne Kremers about Fenix – a Museum as Metaphor
- 21:00 – Book signing by Ma Yansong & drinks at Het Nieuwe Café
Ma Yansong
Beijing-born architect Ma Yansong is an important voice in a new generation of architects. He designs futuristic, organic and technically advanced buildings, inspired by the Eastern philosophy of harmony with nature. His vision of the future city focuses on the spiritual and emotional needs of its citizens. He aims to bring people, the city and the environment into balance with each other.
MAD Architects
Ma Yansong founded the global practice MAD Architects in 2004, led by Ma Yansong, Dang Qun and Yosuke Hayano. The firm is active internationally, working on a wide range of projects, including urban planning, urban complexes, museums, theatres, concert halls, housing and art and design. The elegantly undulating Absolute Towers near Toronto, the Harbin Opera House, the ambitious Quzhou Sports Park and the Tunnel of Light reveal a distinctive imagination. Current projects include the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles and the Shenzhen Bay Culture Park in China. On 16 May, Fenix will open. Fenix is the new art museum about migration in Rotterdam. Complete with MAD Architects’ Tornado: the imposing spiral staircase that winds its way through the building to the roof.
Book launch
In the evening, we celebrate the launch of the publication of Fenix – a Museum as a Metaphor. The publication showcases the transformation of warehouse Fenix II, designed by MAD. Photographer Rubén Dario Kleimeer, who took the photos for the book, will give a short presentation during the evening.
Ma Yansong. Architecture and Emotion
From 17 May to 21 September, the Nieuwe Instituut will host the exhibition Ma Yansong: Architecture and Emotion, an overview of the work of MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, Dang Qun and Yosuke Hayano.