With a cloudlike form and immersive interiors, this science museum reimagines how design can connect people to both environment and innovation.
MAD Architects Creates a Hovering Landmark in Southern China
MAD Architects has officially unveiled the Hainan Science Museum in Haikou, a striking new cultural landmark designed to appear as if it is floating above a lush wetland landscape.
Led by Ma Yansong, the project transforms a 46,528 square meter footprint into a futuristic, biomorphic structure that feels more like a natural phenomenon than a traditional building.
Engineering the Illusion of Weightlessness
The museum’s defining feature is its seamless, silver exterior shell, constructed from hundreds of fiberglass reinforced panels designed to withstand the region’s heavy rainfall while maintaining a fluid, organic form.
Rather than relying on conventional structural systems, the entire building is supported by just three concrete cores. This eliminates the need for interior columns and creates the visual illusion that the structure is hovering above reflective pools and sunken plazas below.
The design draws inspiration from the idea of an updraft, mimicking the movement of rising warm air, which gives the building its soft, cloudlike presence within the surrounding tropical environment.
A Spiral Journey Through Science and Space
Inside, the experience is just as dynamic as the exterior. A continuous spiral ramp winds upward through the center of the museum, connecting all six floors in a layout that feels intuitive and immersive.
Natural light pours in from a central glass dome, guiding visitors through galleries dedicated to marine ecosystems, life sciences, and aerospace exploration. The space unfolds gradually, encouraging movement and discovery rather than static observation.
Blending Education, Technology, and Landscape
Beyond its galleries, the museum expands into a full educational ecosystem. Visitors can explore a planetarium, a large format cinema, and interactive learning zones designed for all ages.
The experience continues outdoors, where landscaped education areas focus on plant science and tropical agriculture, reinforcing the connection between the built environment and the natural world.
By merging advanced engineering with environmental sensitivity, MAD Architects has created more than just a museum in Haikou. It is a living, breathing space where science, architecture, and nature exist in constant dialogue.
