Fake Hills, China
In December 2016, the Beijing-based design firm MAD completed the first phase of their latest major development. Fake Hills, located on the coastal city of Beihai, China, is a residential apartment complex with an undulating, rollercoaster-like roofline.
Inspired by rising and falling topography, the 492,000 sq. m complex stretches across an 800 m-long narrow oceanfront site. The aim was to produce a combination of two common yet opposing architectural typologies – the high rise and the groundscraper.
Their intention was to build high-density, economically-viable housing, while retaining some degree of architectural innovation; a response to the typically mundane urban tower complexes so prolific across China.
With the first phase complete, the next stage will involve a cluster of smaller blocks and a tower with 'wavy' edges.
Views are maximised for the residents as a result of the geometrical arrangement of the architecture, with public spaces, gardens, tennis courts and swimming pools provided as part of the continuous roof platform.
Individual sections of glazing cover the gridded facades of the slender block, while balconies are cantilevered out over the steeper sections of the roofline. Openings in the buildings allow sea breezes to pass through and provide rock-climbing facilities.
According to the architects:
"The [structure] is an undulating, hill-like form comprised of a single linear mass. The egalitarian principle of providing natural light, fresh air and ocean views underpins the building and together they create a new building typology and an environment that encourages a healthy lifestyle.”
Images and content courtesy of MAD Architects.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Arches Boulogne, France.
- Beijing National Stadium.
- CCTV Headquarters.
- China Philharmonic Hall.
- Gaia Building, Ecuador.
- Hangzhou Gateway, China.
- HOME, Mannheim.
- Mirage - Montparnasse Tower renovation.
- Tebrau Waterfront Residences.
- UNIC, Paris.
- Unusual building design of the week.
- Xinhee Design Center.
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.