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MAD Architects Honeycomb Skyscraper

Be it their biomimetic form, their integral strength, or the their beautiful visual texture, lately we can’t get enough of hexagonal honeycomb structures. The latest to catch our eye is the stunning Sinosteel International Plaza by Beijing-based MAD architects. More than just a striking façade, the building’s hexagonal curtain is based upon climate modeling and serves to regulate the structure’s temperature and daylight by varying the size of each cell’s window.

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Seeking to set it apart from your average slate-grey skyscraper, MAD designed the SinoSteel Plaza to be “natural, organic and futuristic.” Situated in Tianjing near BoHai Bay, the complex comprises two structures: a 1,174 foot tower and an adjacent hotel.

Each building’s elegant white façade plays an integral role in its energy efficiency: “By mapping the different air flows and solar direction across the site, we were able to position different sized windows accordingly, minimizing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.” The façade also acts as the building’s main structural support, which allows the interior spaces great flexibility for the types of use they can accommodate.

Construction is currently underway and the complex will be completed in 2011.

+ MAD

Via dezeen.com

4 Responses to “MAD Architects Honeycomb Skyscraper”

sandmansd Says:

August 6th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

i really like the undulating texture achieved by varying the opening sizes.

i wonder why they made it square in plan….

clairseach Says:

August 7th, 2008 at 11:16 am

I was wondering about the square plan as well, 60’s retro? I’d like it better if you could open a window without having to throw a desk at one, or is the air that bad there? I also like the grass dome at the bottom.

mehri vn Says:

August 14th, 2008 at 4:30 am

I’d really like it better if there was any way to show it’s particular hexagon window’s executive details. e.g the details that could show how this special window could retract.
But infact i like it’s concept of efficience-energy by these dynamic windows.

Inhabitat » THE SUPERSTAR: Self-Sustaining City of the Future Says:

September 15th, 2008 at 6:20 am

[...] city of tomorrow takes to the skies in an incredible new concept from Beijing-based MAD Architects. Although its spires may look menacing, the aptly named Superstar is a completely self-sustaining [...]

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