MAD recently unveiled their design for the high-rise renovation competition of the Montparnasse Tower (Tour Montparnasse) in Paris, titled "Urban Mirage." MAD's design aims to transform this massive black box-shaped building in the heart of Paris into a mirrored "upside-down" version of the city, merging with the sky to create a stunning light art piece.

The Montparnasse Tower, completed in the 1970s, became Paris' tallest building at 210 meters. However, it has long been a subject of critique, with locals referring to it as "the scar of Paris" due to its stark contrast with the city's architectural landscape. In 2016, the Montparnasse Tower launched an international competition for its renovation, and MAD was selected as one of the seven final firms out of over 700 applicants.

MAD's renovation proposal utilizes the principle of optical concave mirrors, positioning each glass panel of the building at specific angles. This turns the entire structure into a city-scale concave mirror. Through this optical effect, the building reflects its surrounding cityscape, flipping it upside down. The rooftops of neighboring buildings, the streets, and even the district’s layout are reflected and suspended in the air, while the sky above is mirrored on the lower half of the building, blending seamlessly with the background sky.

The "inverted Paris" floating in the air like a mirage is thus formed. When viewed from the Eiffel Tower, one can even see an upside-down version of the Eiffel Tower reflected on the building's facade.

Ma Yansong said, "When the Montparnasse Tower was completed, it represented the pride and achievement of its time. The worship of technology and power created this monumental structure, but it clashed with the classical city of Paris in which it stands. Today, while we cannot completely erase the regret this building and its history bring, we should create a new perspective and think about how humanity should coexist with our inner selves and our surrounding environment."

MAD's "Urban Mirage" proposal will be exhibited at the Pavillion de l'Arsenal in Paris starting September 19th.

"Urban Mirage"
Paris, France
2016-2017

Lead Architects: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano
Associate Partner: Li Jian, Andrea D'Antrassi
Design Team: Li Guangchong, Jordan Kanter, Hu Yao, Marco Gastoldi, Casey Kell, Matthew Pugh, Felix Amiss, Yan Ran, Ben Yuxiang, Zhao Meng, Rozita Kahirtseva, Torsten Radunski, Young Kang, Li Liang

Architecture Firm: MAD
Collaborating Architect: DGLa
Structural Engineer: TERRELL
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer: NOX ingénierie
Facade Consultant: VS-A
Facade Optical Consultant: ELXIR / Philippe Bompas
Fire Safety Consultant: CSD FACES
Acoustic Consultant: ACOUSTIQUE ET CONSEIL
Lighting Consultant: L'observatoire international / Hervé Descottes
Environmental Consultant: NOX Oxygène
Elevator Consultant: MOVVEO
Asbestos Recycling: NOX CURAGE DESAMIANTAGE DEMOLITION