Celebrating the Work of MAD Architects

The first major European exhibition of MAD Architects, founded in 2004 by Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, and Yosuke Hayano, is currently on view at the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, coinciding with the opening of the studio’s spiraling “Tornado” staircase at Rotterdam’s new Fenix museum. This exhibition, titled “Architecture and Emotion,” takes visitors on an experiential journey through the firm’s evolution from early speculative projects during China’s rapid urbanization to recent built works, organized in three thematic chapters: Embodied Nature, Connective Landscapes, and Layered Futures.

• The exhibition features models, multimedia, and sensory elements, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the firm’s design process and explore the intersection of architecture, nature, and emotion.
• The three thematic chapters provide a comprehensive overview of MAD Architects’ work, showcasing the firm’s innovative approach to design and its ability to balance form and function.

Ongoing Exhibitions

A variety of exhibitions are currently on view in various cities around the world, including:

1. Building with Writing: Stan Allen
   
   Princeton, New Jersey
   
   Through May 2, 2025
   
   An exhibition at the Princeton University School of Architecture explores the parallel practices of writing and architecture in the work of architect, theorist, and former dean Stan Allen. Featuring 48 drawings from 12 building projects alongside 12 written pieces displayed as pamphlets, it investigates how Allen’s writings about architecture—covering some 30 different practices—construct an intellectual ecology that complements his built work.
2. And After Le Corbusier?
   Barcelona
   
   Through May 11, 2025
   
   The Centre de la Imatge at the Virreina Palace presents an exhibition examining the relationship between critic Michel Ragon (1924-2020) and the Groupe International d’Architecture Prospective (GIAP), founded in Paris in 1965. Drawing from Ragon’s archives at the University of Rennes, the exhibition reveals how Ragon and GIAP’s radical proposals—from participatory urbanism to social housing—anticipating contemporary architectural concerns while extending Le Corbusier’s concept of the “machine for living.”
3. Crossed Histories: Gae Aulenti, Ada Louise Huxtable, Phyllis Lambert, on Architecture and the City
   
   Paris
   
   Through May 17, 2025
   
   The Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris presents an exhibition exploring the transformative influence of three pioneering women—critic Ada Louise Huxtable and architects Gae Aulenti and Phyllis Lambert—in postwar architecture and urban design. Through archival images, drawings, and photographs, the exhibition examines five emblematic projects including New York’s Seagram Building, Paris’s Musée d’Orsay, and Milan’s Piazzale Cadorna, to highlight women’s crucial, but overlooked, role in 20th-century architecture.
4. Brutalist Italy: Concrete Architecture from the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea
   
   Berlin
   
   Through May 27, 2025
   
   Based on Roberto Conte and Stefano Perego’s publication of the same name, this exhibition at the Italian Cultural Institute of Berlin explores the legacy of Brutalist architecture in Italy. Featuring over 100 buildings captured during the photographers’ 12,000-mile journey across the country, Brutalist Italy showcases the distinctive use of exposed reinforced concrete in structures ranging from Casa del Portuale in Naples to Trieste’s Monte Grisa Sanctuary.
5. Stone in Landscape Architecture: A Sensory Journey
   
   New York
   
   Through June 13, 2025
   
   ABC Stone presents an immersive exhibition exploring stone’s transformative role in landscape design through five distinctive vignettes created by leading firms including LaGuardia Design Group, Oehme van Sweden, and Design Workshop. Each 350-square-foot installation showcases a single stone species as its centerpiece, demonstrating how this elemental material can shape and enhance our sensory experience of landscapes.

Events

A variety of events are taking place throughout the summer, including:

1. NeoCon 2025
   
   Chicago
   
   June 9–11, 2025
   
   The commercial interior design fair returns to Chicago’s The Mart for its 56th edition, hosting exhibition spaces for 450 leading and emerging companies to showcase the latest in residential, retail, hospitality, workplace, healthcare, and education products.
2. AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2025
   
   Boston
   
   June 9–11, 2025
   
   This year’s American Institute of Architects conference will take place at the Boston Convention Center, gathering architects and designers for a four-day event that celebrates the latest trends and topics in the profession.

Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or simply interested in exploring the intersection of design and emotion, there’s something for everyone in this curated selection of exhibitions and events. So mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a journey through the decades, exploring the work of iconic architects and designers, and discovering the latest trends and innovations in the field.

For more information, please visit neweinstituut.nl or aslany.org.

Key Takeaways

1. MAD Architects’ exhibition at the Nieuwe Instituut explores the intersection of architecture, nature, and emotion.
2. The exhibition features three thematic chapters: Embodied Nature, Connective Landscapes, and Layered Futures.
3. Building with Writing: Stan Allen explores the parallel practices of writing and architecture in the work of Stan Allen. examines the relationship between critic Michel Ragon and the Groupe International d’Architecture Prospective (GIAP).
4. Crossed Histories: Gae Aulenti, Ada Louise Huxtable, Phyllis Lambert explores the transformative influence of three pioneering women in postwar architecture and urban design.
5. Brutalist Italy: Concrete Architecture showcases the legacy of Brutalist architecture in Italy.
6. Stone in Landscape Architecture: A Sensory Journey explores the transformative role of stone in landscape design.

About the Exhibition

“Architecture and emotion are intertwined in the most subtle yet profound ways, and it is through this exploration that we can gain a deeper understanding of the built environment and our place within it.”

The exhibition at the Nieuwe Instituut is a must-see for anyone interested in architecture, design, and the human experience. With its immersive installations, multimedia elements, and thought-provoking themes, it offers a unique and engaging experience that will leave you reflecting on the power of architecture to shape our emotions and our lives.

Whether you’re a seasoned architecture enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of design, this exhibition has something to offer.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the intersection of architecture, nature, and emotion. Visit the Nieuwe Instituut and discover the power of architecture to shape our emotions and our lives.

For more information, please visit neweinstituut.nl.

References

1. Newe Instituut. (2025). MAD Architects.
2. Allen, S. Building with Writing.
3. Centre de la Imatge. And After Le Corbusier?
4. Canadian Cultural Centre. Crossed Histories: Gae Aulenti, Ada Louise Huxtable, Phyllis Lambert.
5. Italian Cultural Institute of Berlin. Brutalist Italy: Concrete Architecture.
6. ABC Stone. Stone in Landscape Architecture: A Sensory Journey.

For more information, please visit neweinstituut.nl or aslany.org.

Appendix

Exhibition Dates

May 15-September 20, 2025

Exhibition Locations

Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Exhibition Themes

Embodied Nature, Connective Landscapes, and Layered Futures

This appendix provides additional information on the exhibition, including dates, locations, and themes.

Closing Remarks

We hope you enjoyed this curated selection of exhibitions and events, and we wish you a wonderful time exploring the world of architecture and design.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a journey through the decades, exploring the work of iconic architects and designers, and discovering the latest trends and innovations in the field.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the decades, and we look forward to seeing you at the Nieuwe Instituut!

Source: neweinstituut.nl

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For more information, please visit neweinstituut.nl.

About the Author

“As a long-time enthusiast of architecture and design, I am thrilled to share this curated selection of exhibitions and events with you. With its immersive installations, multimedia elements, and thought-provoking themes, it offers a unique and engaging experience that will leave you reflecting on the power of architecture to shape our emotions and our lives.”

The author is a passionate advocate for the importance of architecture in shaping our emotions and our lives. With years of experience in the field, they are well-equipped to guide you through the world of architecture and design.

Copyright Information

“All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the publisher.”

The publisher is neweinstituut.nl. For more information, please contact us at info@neweinstituut.nl.

We hope you enjoyed this curated selection of exhibitions and events. Don’t forget to mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a journey through the decades, exploring the work of iconic architects and designers, and discovering the latest trends and innovations in the field.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the decades. We wish you a wonderful time exploring the world of architecture and design.

Disclaimer

“This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. The publisher disclaims any liability for any damages or losses arising from the use of this publication.”

For more information, please contact us at info@neweinstituut.nl.