On July 27, Ma Yansong, leading MAD , unveiled the conceptual design for the "Southbank by Beulah" supertall tower competition in Melbourne. MAD aims to extend Melbourne's rich natural environment vertically through the high-rise design. In this high-density urban context, the design evokes a sense of "clouds, mountains, and jungles," breaking down the barriers typically associated with dense cities. The design aims to create a more approachable scale, bringing the city closer to its community and nature. With its natural forms, the building will stand as a unique landmark on Melbourne's skyline, defining the city's future.

Earlier, MAD, in collaboration with local architecture firm Elenberg Fraser, was shortlisted in the final stage of the international competition. Along with five other international firms OMA, BIG, MVRDV, UN Studio, and Blue Sky Group. MAD participated in designing a supertall mixed-use complex for Beulah International. The site, located in Melbourne’s Southbank, covers an area of 6,000 square meters and will include a combination of hotel, residential, office, and commercial spaces.

Southbank is one of Melbourne's most densely populated neighborhoods, filled with numerous high-rise buildings. After thorough research, MAD decided to adopt a "single tower" design, maximizing the building’s views and minimizing its impact on the surrounding community and skyline. The future landmark building designed by MAD, standing at 360 meters tall, resembles a towering tree emerging from the earth. It rises gracefully into the sky, with a natural and powerful form, creating a stark contrast to the traditional box-like high-rise buildings surrounding it.

The lower levels of the building, which house retail and commercial spaces, resemble a hillside, with commercial units designed like small wooden houses, forming a "village in the mountains." Between these "wooden houses," green plant walls cover the building’s surfaces, bringing a breath of nature to the bustling city. The architectural façade, a combination of wooden ridge lines and transparent glass, mimics the intertwining trunk of a tree, growing naturally upward toward the sky. At the top of the building, the "cloud" offers panoramic 360-degree views of the city. This area will serve as the hotel’s public space, and the ETFE structure of the "cloud" creates a subtle fading effect at its edges, making it appear as if a real cloud is floating in the air.

In addition to its commercial spaces, the "Forest Tower" also includes cultural and public spaces that serve the community, such as an auditorium, concert hall, library, art spaces, and daycare facilities. The side of the building closest to Southbank Boulevard is dedicated to public spaces that are easily accessible to citizens, offering areas for rest and interaction, fostering a sense of community engagement and connection.

"Southbank by Beulah"
Melbourne, Australia
2018

Type: Mixed-use Complex — Commercial, Cultural/Art, Entertainment, Hotel, Office, Residential
Site Area: 6,000 sqm
Building Area: 225,238 sqm
Building Height: 360 meters

Principal Partners: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano
Lead Associate Partner: Tiffany Dahlen
Design Team: Li Cunhao, Sun Shouquan, Marco Gastoldi, Jennifer Perez-Rojas, Wang Xinyi, Thoufeeq Ahamed, Lei Lei, Jaime Cadarso, Reinier Simons