MAD architects inflates playful ‘wonderland’ pavilion for beijing design week

with its allusions to alice's adventures in wonderland, the structure seeks to instill a 'carefree spirit and sense of whimsy'.

philip stevens September 26, 2017 2 min

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for the 2017 edition of beijing design week, MAD architects has erected an inflatable structure near the region’s historic lama temple. titled ‘wonderland’, a name which refers to its playful nature, the temporary pavilion acts as an intimate playground where local children can socialize and interact with one another. the scheme, which has been positioned within an old hutong community, seeks to activate the neighborhood’s public space in an original way.

MAD architects beijing design week
all images courtesy of MAD architects

presented as part of BJDW 2017, an annual event that showcases the best of chinese design, MAD’s inflatable playground takes the form of a white rabbit with giant ears. with its allusions to lewis carroll’s book alice’s adventures in wonderland, the structure seeks to instill a ‘carefree spirit and sense of whimsy’, thus providing a temporary escape from reality. ‘surrounded by its soft walls, under the blue sky and green trees, children can play, daydream and drift off into their own fantasy wonderland in pursuit of happiness,’ explains the design team.

MAD architects beijing design week
the inflatable structure is located near the historic lama temple

MAD architects beijing design week
the name ‘wonderland’ refers to the scheme’s playful nature

MAD architects beijing design week
the temporary pavilion acts as an intimate playground

MAD architects beijing design week
local children are able to socialize and interact with one another

MAD architects beijing design week
the scheme has been positioned within an old hutong community

MAD architects beijing design week
the design activates the neighborhood’s public space in an original way

project info:

name: wonderland
directors in charge: ma yansong, qun dang, yosuke hayano
design team: yin ming, sear ng, fu changrui, yang xuebing 
location: qinlong hutong, beijing, china
typology: exhibition space, art installation
dimensions: 6m (l) x 3m (w) x 2.8m (h) / 19.7ft (l) x 9.8ft (w) x 9.2ft (h)
area: 6.5 sqm / 70 sqf

MAD architects inflates playful 'wonderland' pavilion for beijing design week - 1

BJDW beijing design week 2017 offers an expansive overview of china’s transforming design landscape, while serving as a laboratory for innovative perspectives from industry and academia that inspire and shape contemporary design discourse and practice. beijing design week has come to represent a critical moment of encounter for design professionals and the public to take part in a multifaceted urban storytelling, with a variegated set of interventions around dozens of the city’s iconic areas, districts, cultural and commercial venues.

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