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MAD Architects’ “Forest City” Airport Soars With Organic Architecture in Lishui, China

By Glanze Patrick staff@designtimes.com | Mar 29, 2024 03:00 AM EDT


(Photo: Courtesy of MAD Architects | Lishui Airport)

"The Forest City," an airport in China dreamed up by MAD Architects, likely the masterminds behind MAD's design is one in a series of forward-thinking, future-oriented idea boxes that defined MAD's design. In Lishui, the green forests, landscapes, and valleys of Southwest Zhejiang Province, rich in their natural surroundings, produce beautiful scenery that catches the eye.

Design Concept

A transit-oriented development is situated about 15 km southwest of the city. It is well situated as a hub of domestic and regional transport, integrative of clean solutions, and serving growing benefits to the region.

Viewed as a spiritual beacon in the area itself, the Lishui Airport transcends the philosophy of MAD Architects—the thought of harmonization with nature in architecture. Identifiable as a white-feathered bird prepared to take off, the airport's architectural design makes identification facile. The startling silver-white canopy is modern, designed to form part of the poised elegance touch. The avian design is an aesthetic marvel; it melds the surrounding topography to look like a garden.


(Photo: Courtesy of MAD Architects | Lishui Airport)

Terminal Features

The terminal building measures approximately 2,267 hectares of land, enclosing an elevation difference of approximately 100 meters. Inside, warm wood dominates, with the shuttle-shaped skylight using daylight to help transport one company into its environmental ethos. This further breaks up the divisions between indoors and outdoors by discreetly bringing outdoor elements into the interior, making it a serene, welcoming environment for the passengers.

Also Read: 10 Floating Architecture Projects Across the Globe

The layout of the interior spaces ensures maximum space conditions for passenger movement. While waiting areas are situated at a level above, some daylight is available, yet they have been very consciously placed at ground level for departure amenities. The architecture of the terminus space ensures path planting through the middle of a sunken parking area.


(Photo: Courtesy of MAD Architects | Lishui Airport)

Development Impact

The development defines the character and use of the buildings through which it discusses its impacts on townscape, heritage,e, and character, which concern the Council with merely an added mid-block setback and overdevelopment assessment through existing architectural arrangement on street levels. In this regard, the proposal's impacts on townscape, heritage,e, and character concern the Council with a mere mid-block setback and an overdevelopment assessment. Subdivision design approaches will consider integration with the existing neighborhood character, and it will be responsive to the introduced landscape and the retained and canopy cover objectives by providing appropriate setbacks and garden areas.

All this is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, while the Lishui airport will be a new building and serve its citizens. This goes on to show how it infringes upon the region. MAD Architects' "Forest City" airport symbolizes the harmonious living of nature with innovation. At the same time, it is an accurate statement of the transformational powers of vision.

Other large undertakings in the province of Zhejiang are the Anji Culture and Art Centre ad, the brand-new center for Hangzhou by Foster +. The latter emphasizes the region's willingness for sustainable urban development, comprehensive achievements in contemporary infrastructure, and innovative design leadership worldwide.

Related Article: 'The Train Station in the Forest' in China Complete: MAD Architects' Visionary Approach to Transit-Oriented Development

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