MAD’s “Chaoyang Park Plaza” has been selected as one of five finalists in the 2018 International Highrise Award (IHA).

Positioned on the southern edge of one of Beijing’s largest parks, “Chaoyang Park Plaza” is a 220,000 sqm mixed-use complex that comprises 10 buildings which unfold as a classic Shanshui landscape painting on an urban scale. Envisioned as a true extension of the neighboring green space, the scheme draws on a classical approach to Chinese garden architecture, where nature and the built environment blend into one another; naturalizing the central business district’s strong artificial skyline by borrowing scenery from a distant landscape. The design takes a concept that is derived from a free-hand drawing, and translates it into a large art form that creates a spiritual resemblance of nature on a city scale, creating a sense of harmony and balance with the natural world.

The IHA is considered the world’s most important architecture prize for highrises.

It is aimed at architects and developers whose buildings are at least 100 meters high and have been completed in the past two years. The jury consists of architects, structural engineers, real-estate experts and architecture critics. It judges the nominated projects according to the following criteria: future-oriented design, functionality, innovative building technology, integration into urban development schemes, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This year’s five finalists were selected from 36 nominees from 15 countries. They are:

"Beirut Terraces"  in Beirut, Lebanon by Herzog & de Meuron (Switzerland)
"Chaoyang Park Plaza" in Beijing, China by MAD Architects (China)
"MahaNakhon" in Bangkok, Thailand by Büro Ole Scheeren (Thailand) and OMA (China)
"Oasia Hotel Downtown" in Singapore by WOHA (Singapore)
"Torre Reforma" in Mexico City, Mexico by L. Benjamín Romano (Mexico)

The winner of the 2018 International Highrise Award will be announced at a special event in Frankfurt, Germany, on November  1st,2018.