Street Architecture
& Urban Interventions
Home Projects Moments Products About
Last project uploaded: THE HUB

26:22:02:33

El-Alamein

MĂ WAY

Learn more about "Pegasus Trail" by click here!

MĂ WAY

From the Chinese Character 马 To Architecture

3
MĂ WAY

© 100architects

17

Jan

2023

Hangzhou

Asia/Shanghai

Chinese

Population: 8 Million8.5 million in 2025

GDP: 1.6 8.5%

BigMac: 2.74 us dollars

Mă Way
Hangzhou | China
 
Mă Way is yet another twist in our recurring series of projects revolving around the concept of the Horse for our regular client, Dong Yuan. First came the popular HorseBox in Chengdu; soon after, the least abstract ones, HorseLand & SeaHorse, both in Chongqing; and finally, the latest, largest and most famous one, Pegasus Trail also in Chongqing.
 
MaWay | Official Video | 100 Channel
 



 

© 100architects

 

@Rex Zou

After 4 different successful projects exploring alternative ways of playing around same Dong Yuan’s IP image of the Horse, they reached out to us a 5th time for yet another fun twist. This time, for the public realm of a newly built residential development in the city of Hangzhou, our response was a bit more calligraphic: A playscape driven by the actual shape of the Chinese character Mă (马) which guess what? Yeah, it means Horse.
 
In order to be visible, recognizable and even readable from all the surrounding residential towers, we created a huge Chinese character in eye-catching monochromatic aquamarine green color, and then turned it into a playscape.
 
 

© 100architects

 

© RexZou

We realized that the character’s calligraphic stroke, when geometricized, was ideal for becoming a playful path or Way of entertaining activities filled with challenging obstacles & fun features for encouraging social interactions. Thus, its name, Mă Way. You do it your way.
 
Furthermore, the canvas onto which the character is calligraphed, the negative surrounding space, complement the path of playful activities with different pocket plazas for leisure, offering seating opportunities in the form of sunken plaza, and shaded areas for kids and adults alike, as well as sports areas for youngsters and teenagers or floor games for kids, converting the space in a multi-functional and multi-generational square.
 
 

© RexZou

 

© RexZou

Taking advantage of the independence of one of the strokes, separated from the main calligraphic body, we proposed a vertical play-wall, which when seen from above looks like a straight stroke line, and when seen from a pedestrian point of view, it becomes a challenging wall full of perforations & vertical games besides climbing and sliding opportunities.
 
Mă Way has been thoughtfully developed as a “Play Route” from end to end of the different character strokes, having into consideration different challenges and levels of difficulty for different age groups along the path. Calligraphy strokes on the floor set the path along which kids have fun and adults gather or have a rest, unifying them in a colorful path that gives shape and order to the Play Route.
 
 

© RexZou

 

© RexZou

 

© RexZou

 

© RexZou

 

© 100architects

 

© RexZou

 

© RexZou

 

© RexZou

 

© RexZou

 
Credits
 
PROJECT NAME: Mă Way
DESIGN: 100 Architects (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
DESIGN TEAM: Marcial Jesús, Javier González, Mónica Páez, Lara Broglio, Ponyo Zhao, Keith Gong, Cosima Jiang, Michelle Aldora & Yuntong Liu.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM: Matías Hernández, Jenny Fan & Eva Jiang.
CLIENT: Dong Yuan Dichan Properties (东原地产)
SIZE: 8,000 m2
STATUS: Built
LOCATION: Hangzhou (China)
PHOTOGRAPHY: Rex Zou
VIDEOGRAPHY: Lalo López

More images

Mă Way is yet another twist in our recurring series of projects revolving around the concept of the Horse for our regular client, Dong Yuan.

After 4 different successful projects exploring alternative ways of playing around same Dong Yuan’s IP image of the Horse, they reached out to us a 5th time for yet another fun twist.

First came the popular HorseBox in Chengdu; soon after, the least abstract ones, HorseLand & SeaHorse, both in Chongqing; and finally, the latest, largest and most famous one, Pegasus Trail also in Chongqing.

This time, for the public realm of a newly built residential development in the city of Hangzhou, our response was a bit more calligraphic:

A playscape driven by the actual shape of the Chinese character Mă (马) which guess what? Yeah, it means Horse.

In order to be visible, recognizable and even readable from all the surrounding residential towers, we created a huge Chinese character in eye-catching monochromatic aquamarine green color, and then turned it into a playscape.

We realized that the character’s calligraphic stroke, when geometricized, was ideal for becoming a playful path or Way of entertaining activities filled with challenging obstacles & fun features for encouraging social interactions. Thus, its name, Mă Way. You do it your way.

Furthermore, the canvas onto which the character is calligraphed, the negative surrounding space, complement the path of playful activities with different pocket plazas for leisure.

offering seating opportunities in the form of sunken plaza, and shaded areas for kids and adults alike, as well as sports areas for youngsters and teenagers or floor games for kids, converting the space in a multi-functional and multi-generational square.

Taking advantage of the independence of one of the strokes, separated from the main calligraphic body, we proposed a vertical play-wall, which when seen from above looks like a straight stroke line,

and when seen from a pedestrian point of view, it becomes a challenging wall full of perforations & vertical games besides climbing and sliding opportunities.

Mă Way has been thoughtfully developed as a “Play Route” from end to end of the different character strokes, having into consideration different challenges and levels of difficulty for different age groups along the path.

Calligraphy strokes on the floor set the path along which kids have fun and adults gather or have a rest, unifying them in a colorful path that gives shape and order to the Play Route.

Mă Way is yet another twist in our recurring series of projects revolving around the concept of the Horse for our regular client, Dong Yuan.

First came the popular HorseBox in Chengdu; soon after, the least abstract ones, HorseLand & SeaHorse, both in Chongqing; and finally, the latest, largest and most famous one, Pegasus Trail also in Chongqing.

After 4 different successful projects exploring alternative ways of playing around same Dong Yuan’s IP image of the Horse, they reached out to us a 5th time for yet another fun twist.

This time, for the public realm of a newly built residential development in the city of Hangzhou, our response was a bit more calligraphic:

A playscape driven by the actual shape of the Chinese character Mă (马) which guess what? Yeah, it means Horse.

In order to be visible, recognizable and even readable from all the surrounding residential towers, we created a huge Chinese character in eye-catching monochromatic aquamarine green color, and then turned it into a playscape.

We realized that the character’s calligraphic stroke, when geometricized, was ideal for becoming a playful path or Way of entertaining activities filled with challenging obstacles & fun features for encouraging social interactions. Thus, its name, Mă Way. You do it your way.

Furthermore, the canvas onto which the character is calligraphed, the negative surrounding space, complement the path of playful activities with different pocket plazas for leisure.

offering seating opportunities in the form of sunken plaza, and shaded areas for kids and adults alike, as well as sports areas for youngsters and teenagers or floor games for kids, converting the space in a multi-functional and multi-generational square.

Taking advantage of the independence of one of the strokes, separated from the main calligraphic body, we proposed a vertical play-wall, which when seen from above looks like a straight stroke line,

and when seen from a pedestrian point of view, it becomes a challenging wall full of perforations & vertical games besides climbing and sliding opportunities.

Mă Way has been thoughtfully developed as a “Play Route” from end to end of the different character strokes, having into consideration different challenges and levels of difficulty for different age groups along the path.

Mă Way is yet another twist in our recurring series of projects revolving around the concept of the Horse for our regular client, Dong Yuan.

Landscape Architecture

Neighborhood Intervention

Neighborhood Intervention

© 100architects

What is a neighborhood intervention?
This is the medium-scale type of intervention that takes place in the public realm of a city, related to the altering of a portion of a neighborhood. A type of intervention of such magnitude and notoriety impacts not only the immediate surrounding urban environment but rather the urban dynamics of a whole neighborhood, becoming an urban landmark and a local attractor of social interactions in a given neighborhood.
 
The main objective of this typology is to trigger massive public interest in the place through a strong visual impact and injection of activities, encouraging the increase of high public influx and establishing an urban landmark that can cultivate important human dynamics and boost commercial activity. These phenomena are achieved through the creation of spaces for leisure, entertainment, play and collective joy, catalyzing important social interactions throughout the neighborhood.
 
This topology of intervention, normally is used by real state developers to bring fresh and unique ideas to the public realm of their urban developments, which contributes to stand out in the market, establishing a distinct brand identity through innovative, and user-oriented design solutions that enhance the quality of life and thus, the appeal and value in the eyes of potential buyers or tenants, increasing the marketability of the project and potentially leading to higher property values, rental rates and ultimately faster sell out. This interventions maximize the value of the entire neighborhood.

Projects

Related

A Landmark for the Community Inspired by Ancient Chinese Architect Lu Ban

The Carpenter Space captures the essence of traditional woodworking techniques and reimagines them within a contemporary playground of creativity and enjoyment. Located in the heart of Hangzhou, China, this project channels the legacy of Lu Ban, the revered father of Chinese architecture and master inventor.

CARPENTER SPACE

CARPENTER SPACE

Landscape Architecture

A playground that serves as a catalyst for social and commercial activity

Drawing inspiration from the characteristic vibrant summer vibes and beach hues of the famous beach of La Barceloneta, we named it "La Barcelonita", envisioning it as the little sister of La Barceloneta.

LA BARCELONITA

LA BARCELONITA

Landscape Architecture

A Unique Waterborne Public Space Revolutionizing Shanghai

The design of Loopy Bridge seamlessly weaves a pathway around the geometric patterns inspired by water ripples, creating a singular, harmonious trace.

LOOPY BRIDGE

LOOPY BRIDGE

Landscape Architecture

See More Related Projects >

insta100

Related Moments
Challenging truck for little kids

Challenging truck for little kids

I love this truck cause you can follow it with your son and go from one game to another one.

Photo by Camilla Sam

Taken at MĂ WAY

Best family day !

Best family day !

A memorable day at this fun playground, a lot of games to play with my little son.

Photo by Francesca Pisa

Taken at MĂ WAY

This is an interesting discovery! Love this park!

This is an interesting discovery! Love this park!

Wow, what a fun place to play! There is truly something for everyone.

Photo by Claire Parker

Taken at MĂ WAY

See More Related Insta100 >

Publications

Latest
The Nest in Transform

The Nest in Transform

It’s not classical landscape architecture where design focuses on elegant alignment with a space’s existing character, but “injecting identity into places that do not have one,” he says.

The Nest in Transform

Marcial Jesús in Diario Financiero

Marcial Jesús in Diario Financiero

El arquitecto chileno que revoluciona el espacio público desde China.

Marcial Jesús in Diario Financiero

The Other Nest in Topscape

The Other Nest in Topscape

The Other Nest é un sistema ludico iperstimolante e multifunzionale vocato al gioco per tutte le età realizzato da 100architects,...

The Other Nest in Topscape

100architects

100architects
The Hub, located in Marassi on Egypt’s North Coast, is a groundbreaking entertainment destination, covering 60,000 m². Designed by 100architects for Emaar Misr, it redefines public space through bold, colorful design and immersive experiences that engage visitors of all ages, especially adolescents and young adults. In late 2023, Emaar Misr approached 100architects with a bold vision: to create a one-of-a-kind entertainment hub that would serve as a social anchor for youth, complementing all other public facilities and amenities for adults at Marassi. With just two months for design and six months for construction, the challenge was clear. Construction began in January 2024, working at full speed to deliver this immersive space in time for the summer season. At the core of The Hub’s design is the concept of a "Big Bang"—a celebration of life and youth, represented by an explosion of colors, lights, and dynamic forms. This abstract idea translates into a visually captivating experience, where visitors are drawn into the space as if being pulled by gravitational forces represented by an innovative wayfinding system. Bold, colorful lines embedded directly into the ground guide foot traffic, enhancing circulation while adding a dynamic aesthetic layer. The master plan features a "triple heart" layout with three major zones: a multipurpose event space, a playground, and Kids Town, all gravitating around the Central Plaza, and tailored to younger audiences. These spaces are carefully arranged to encourage spontaneous social interactions and self-expression—core to 100architects’ philosophy of creating public spaces that foster community engagement. The dynamic design invites visitors to explore, play, and connect, making it an ideal space for social gatherings and youth expression. In addition to these key attractions, The Hub offers a wide range of activities, including an open-air cinema, go-kart track, roller-skating rink, sports courts, arcade, and flexible public spaces designed for allowing the ephemeral appearance of pop-up markets, concerts, and workshops. F&B and Retail spaces occupy 10,000 m² and 15,000 m² respectively, with container-based F&B outlets and locally themed retail shops, all designed to blend seamlessly with the vibrant aesthetic. This modular approach enabled fast construction while maintaining a striking industrial edge that resonates with younger visitors. As the trendiest space on Egypt’s North Coast, The Hub has quickly become a hotspot for evening activities. With its success evident in the daily crowds, the project is already set to expand. Phase 2, scheduled for completion by June 2025, will introduce a larger playscape and even more amenities, driving further social interaction, visitor engagement, and commercial success. As 100architects continues to reshape public spaces, we are excited to push the boundaries of design, creating environments that are vibrant, interactive, and inclusive.
The Hub: The Hottest Youth Entertainment Destination on Egypt’s North Coast
YouTube Video UCyoOpK5SjZlridYZ2AqFUFQ_wyb7h7XC6No
Loopy Bridge. Visit www.100architects.com for more
YouTube Video UCyoOpK5SjZlridYZ2AqFUFQ__ZmWFRnIrD0
Sparks X. Visit www.100architects.com for more
YouTube Video UCyoOpK5SjZlridYZ2AqFUFQ_6xAT-d13H-8
Load More... Subscribe

100architects
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Unsupported request - method type: get

Moments & Experiences

Insta 100