MAD architects has revealed the first images of its much-anticipated ‘fake hills’ development, a dense residential community in coastal china. Located in beihai, a southern port city, the project seeks to capture the region’s scenic character with an undulating man-made topography. the design, the first phase of which is now complete, forms a mountainous profile along the waterfront. the photographs of ‘fake hills’ were first presented in MAD works, a new monograph detailing the studio’s distinctive and wide-ranging work.

Seeking to develop a high-density, economically viable housing project — that remained architecturally innovative — MAD’s design is a sinuous 800 meter-long landscape that comprises both roof terraces and balconies. Adhering to ma yansong’s architectural principles, the scheme will fully integrate nature within the building’s man-made environment once complete. On top of the undulating hills, continuous roof platforms will eventually host gardens, tennis courts, and swimming pools.

Within the pixelated elevation, continuous glazed façades afford residents with sweeping ocean views, while large openings allow for natural daylight and ventilation. These extruded balconies provide a backdrop for the centrally located low-rise buildings and landscaping positioned between the building and the waterfront. this area of land will be used for residential amenities as well as recreational functions.