mad.lab is an interdisciplinary elective course run in the Chinese city of Chongqing and open to art, design, media and architecture students. The course immerses students in an intensive three-week program where they (1) work with local and international industry professionals on real world industry briefs developed with project stakeholders including Chongqing industry and government (2) collaborate with their peers from local academic institutions; and (3) engage directly with the citizens and unique culture of Chongqing. The course includes, lectures, peer and industry critique, field trips, collaborations and meetings with the art & design, architecture and urban development industry sectors and cultural institutions, local communities and public. The course culminates in an exhibition where students pitch their project outcomes to local industry and government representatives.