Chinese architect Ma Yansong has unveiled his latest project, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, which officially opened on September 22. The museum, founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, features a futuristic design that Ma said aims to inspire curiosity and diverse interpretations from visitors.

Ma, founder of MAD Architects, is known for blending nature with sleek, modern forms. The Lucas Museum exemplifies this approach, integrating its surroundings with lawns, trees, running water, and a rooftop covered by vegetation and solar panels. Ma explained that the design draws from traditional Chinese landscape paintings, or “shanshui,” which depict harmonious natural scenes. He sees this as part of a broader global movement in architecture seeking to reconnect people with nature.

Born and raised in Beijing, Ma grew up in the city’s historic hutong neighborhoods characterized by courtyard homes and pockets of green space. He later trained abroad, graduating from the Yale School of Architecture and briefly working with prominent architect Zaha Hadid. His portfolio includes notable projects such as the Harbin Opera House in China, the twisting Absolute Towers in Toronto, and a migration-themed museum in Rotterdam.

Ma emphasized a shift in architectural priorities from showcasing wealth and power to focusing on creating spaces that prioritize human experience. He pointed to his Baiziwan Social Housing project in Beijing as an example. Unlike typical subsidized housing in China, which often isolates residents, Baiziwan features open layouts, elevated garden areas, and designs that maximize sunlight to foster community integration and a sense of belonging.

“I want it to be open, a place where everyone feels they are the masters of the city,” Ma said. His Beijing office is located in a hutong neighborhood near his childhood home, underscoring his connection to the everyday urban environment that continues to influence his work.

Recognized last year by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people, Ma remains committed to designing buildings that encourage freedom of movement and interaction, reflecting both tradition and innovation in contemporary architecture.