At the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, MAD Architects presents Chinese Paper Umbrella, a site-specific outdoor installation for the China Pavilion. Curated under the theme “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective,” the work reinterprets the traditional Chinese oil paper umbrella at architectural scale, transforming it into a shaded, weather-responsive pavilion. Crafted from layered Xuan paper treated with tung oil, the umbrella structure is both translucent and water-resistant, blending age-old material traditions with contemporary environmental design. Set in the garden near the end of the Arsenale exhibition route, the installation offers visitors a place for pause, reflection, and sensory immersion.

The pavilion responds to Venice’s shifting maritime climate with integrated smart technologies. A misting system cools the air beneath during dry heat, while OPPLE Lighting’s Smart Dynamic Light system adjusts interior lighting based on natural conditions. As sun and rain pass through, the umbrella filters light into gentle patterns of glow and shadow. Designed by Ma Yansong and MAD’s team, the Chinese Paper Umbrella installation will gradually weather and fade over time, inviting contemplation on impermanence and sustainable coexistence between nature and architecture.