3XN architects design new Innovation Ecotope
Above: CGI of new Ecotope campus for EPFL in Lausanne (by 3XN) The Innovation Ecotope is part of the strategic masterplan of 250,000m2, geared towards crafting a social, sustainable, and active site for technology, industry, and innovation linked to the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. The EPFL Innovation Park (EIP) has selected 3XN and IB to design and build Ecotope, expanding the university’s existing Science Park and Innovation Square to a new site west of the mai
The development of the Swiss 10-minute neighbourhood
Future Cities Forum has written at length on the 15-minute neighbourhood through our events gathering opinions from UK architects and planners. With our current visit to Switzerland, we have been researching how as a country, it is working to prevent climate change. The Swiss University ETH reports that the Canton of Zurich recently adopted the net-zero 2040 climate protection target. Dr Sibylle Walty from ETH, would like more ten-minute neighbourhoods, to help reduce emissio
New sustainable timber jetty for Zurich Airport
Above: CGI of interior of new jetty - with V-shaped timber load-bearing columns - at Zurich Airport (Illustration by Imigo) Selected from among 10 global competition entries, the winning proposal for the largest dock of the internationally acclaimed Zurich Airport is composed predominantly of solid regional wood. The new Dock A and adjacent buildings designed by BIG, HOK, 10:8 architects, engineer Buro Happold, timber experts Pirmin Jung and aviation consultant NACO, seek to
University of Southampton acquires Sir James Matthews building
Above: aerial view of the Sir James Matthews building, Southampton (from CBRE) How can universities help support the growth of cultural centres in cities? What effect is the buying of particular buildings on the uplift and vibrancy of cultural quarters? The University of Southampton has acquired the Sir James Matthews building, a 101,794 square feet, five storey educational site in a transaction that will significantly increase the University’s city centre presence. Located o
Wright & Wright to speak at Future Cities Forum on cultural infrastructure
Above: Stephen Smith of Wright & Wright Architects Future Cities Forum is delighted that Stephen Smith, Partner at architecture practice, Wright & Wright, will be speaking about the value of libraries to cultural infrastructure in cities, at our event this September, to be held in the historic boardroom at the V&A Museum, South Kensington. Stephen joined Wright & Wright in 2005 and became a partner in 2011. Cultural projects include the ground-breaking Hull Truck Theatre; and
Future Cities Forum at the V&A Museum this September
Above: lunchtime in the John Madejski Garden at V&A Museum, South Kensington in May 2022 This September, Future Cities Forum will be at the V&A Museum in South Kensington, London, for its autumn 'cultural cities' forum. The museum was founded with a mission: to educate designers, manufacturers and the public in art and design. Its origins lie in the Great Exhibition of 1851, with the profits used to develop a cultural district of museums and colleges in South Kensington devot
Birmingham: 'the golden decade ahead'
Image above: Commonwealth Games Hub on Centenary Way in central Birmingham In a research seminar gathering of government, science academics, cultural leaders, senior real estate advisers and architects, Future Cities Forum asked questions around the potential legacy of the Commonwealth Games for Birmingham (due to begin in under two weeks time), broadening training and job opportunities for young people in the West Midlands, and how to attract investment partners for the new
Investment in science innovation in Birmingham
Above: Birmingham Health Innovation Campus in foreground (with buildings as CGI), with main Edgbaston campus of Birmingham University on right, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital top left - image from Bruntwood. Our 'Science, healthcare and research' panel at Birmingham focused on the new innovation campus being built by The University of Birmingham and Bruntwood SciTech at Selly Oak, close to where the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the University of Birmingham already have a strong
Refining Birmingham's cultural and visitor destination plan
Exhibit from Birmingham Museums: 'The Past is Now' exhibition - originally curated in 2018 to examine the relationship between Birmingham's communities and the British Empire - now on display. We were delighted that Symon Easton, Director of Culture at Birmingham City Council, Anna Williams, COO of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Erica Love, Director, Culture Central and Neil MacOmish, Board Director, Scott Brownrigg, all took part in our levelling up, cultural regeneration discussi
Future Cities Forum: levelling up in Birmingham
Above: The Exchange, Centenary Square, Birmingham (courtesy Birmingham University) FUTURE CITIES FORUM 13 July 2022 at The Exchange, 3 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2DR 0930 to 1230
Our third levelling up debate will look at the West Midlands’ economy, infrastructure development, health, and culture. We will be discussing investment and development in the city region. This Birmingham event, follows on from our Leeds forum at DLA Piper in May, and Manchester in June at The