Biomorphic “egg” tower by MAD Architects

We have grown accustomed to being amazed at designs by MAD Architects, the architectural design firm based in Beijing and with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Rome. However despite just completing their first project in the US, the motivated firm shocked architectural buffs throughout the world with an ambitious proposal for an office tower in Hollywood.

Now a year and a half after first unveiling the design for the biomorphic office tower in Hollywood, MAD Architects has established itself as one of the world’s most progressive firms. In 2020, the firm debuted Gardenwall in Beverly Shores… a luxury residential building complex has the largest living wall in the country. Also on the docket is Los Angeles’ Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The firm broke ground on the aspirational project in 2018… following unfortunate circumstances that called for the project to relocate from Chicago to Los Angeles.

The project is predicted to be completed in 2026 and hopes are that it will serve as Los Angeles’ new iconic landmark. Located in the heart of Hollywood, the inspired proposal integrates tree-filled gardens and terraces throughout all of its 22 floors. There is no doubt that The Star will enhance the pedestrian experience on Sunset Boulevard.

The proposal calls for a rounded form that is (courtesy of Dezeen) “informed by the curvilinear shapes of nearby structures including the Griffith Observatory on Mount Hollywood, the Capitol Records building, the Hollywood Bowl and the Cinerama Dome.”

The half million-square-foot office building certainly stands out amongst its neighbors. The Star will be comprised of (courtesy of Design Boom) “three glassy pipes enclosed in a giant glass dome and marked by a band superstructure that replicates the silhouette of an egg. This thin band that runs across the sculptural structure serves a practical purpose, acting as a funicular track that will easily transport passengers to the enclosed rooftop restaurant, event space, and the 360-degree observation deck.”

Ma Yansong, MAD Architects’ founder, noted that The Star was designed to take advantage of a “post Covid” world. In other words, it was important to consider employees’ well-bring… physically, mentally, and emotionally. In addition, there was a big emphasis on both air and light requirements.

MAD Architects could not have finalized the proposal had they not teamed up with a local design studio called SALT Landscape Architects. With a name derived from “salt of the earth,” it is no surprise that the firm believes that well-designed landscapes should be evolutionary and dynamic. The two firms are also similar in that they understand the need for projects to be environmentally sensitive.

The landscaped locations will include open-air terraces on the 10th and 17th floors. These sky gardens will have a sculptural feel which is a juxtaposition to MAD Architects’ biomorphic design. The two firms will collaborate to design gathering and seating areas for the building’s employees.

It feels as though the architects considered every single detail when designing this innovate structure. The flattened sphere with it’s terrarium-inspired topper and construction that adheres to WELL and LEED certifications are just two more details that were considered by Yansong.

About the project, Yansong said (courtesy of The Architects Newspaper), “Hollywood has been a signature center for culture and creativity for a long time. The Star will be the new iconic landmark in Hollywood and continue to nurture the public’s inspiration and creativity.”