Architecture studio MAD has unveiled an innovative interactive sculpture called "Breathing Cells" at the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, designed to comfort visitors through responsive lighting and cooling water mist. The installation, which MAD describes as resembling a "giant mattress," stands as a 4.8-meter-tall and 2.4-meter-wide structure located at Songhyeon Green Plaza, the central venue of the prestigious Seoul biennale.
The sculpture represents MAD's exploration into the future of architectural facades while directly responding to this year's biennale theme, "Radically More Human." Breathing Cells features a sophisticated soft pneumatic membrane equipped with an intelligent control system that adjusts both lighting and temperature based on the presence and needs of people standing nearby. This responsive technology allows the structure to provide personalized comfort to visitors through its adaptive environmental controls.
"Breathing Cells seeks to explore the subtle relationship between the individual and the urban environment," explained MAD founder Ma Yansong. "Each 'cell' represents an independent entity within the city, while the rhythmic interplay of light and mist symbolizes the breathing cadence of life and the city itself." The installation's design philosophy emphasizes the potential for architecture to become more than functional containers, instead evolving into sentient, responsive living entities.
Even when the control system is on standby, the sculpture maintains its inviting character through its soft materials and organic form. The structure's individual cells are illuminated by integrated light units, creating a dynamic visual display that responds to environmental conditions and human interaction. During hot weather, the installation activates its mist-release function, producing ethereal water vapor that provides cooling relief to visitors while demonstrating advanced environmental responsiveness.
According to MAD, this mist feature "explores the potential for architectural skins to interact with their environment, metaphorically suggesting a deeper understanding of 'humanization' in future architecture." The studio envisions buildings that transcend traditional functionality to become responsive, living entities that actively engage with their surroundings and occupants.
This year's Seoul Biennale of Architecture is curated by British designer Thomas Heatherwick, who created his own controversial centerpiece called the twisted "Humanise Wall." However, Heatherwick's installation has faced criticism from two selected creatives who participated in the open call, with one describing it as showing "profound lack of judgment" and another suggesting its purpose was to "occupy as much visual attention as possible."
The Breathing Cells project involved an extensive team of specialists, including design team members Huang Juntao, Li Qingzhi, Jiang Yunyao, and Wang Houxiang. Opple Lighting provided lighting technical support, while Top Space (China) International Trade Co, Ltd handled fabrication, and Bespoke. Sur-Mesure Engineering Studio served as the structure consultant. The Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism runs from September 26 through November 18, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea.
