zaha hadid explores the future of architecture in the metaverse through metrotopia venture

2023 Venice Biennale presents Metrotopia virtual exhibition

METROTOPIA, a collaboration between Zaha Hadid Architects and Chicago-based ArchAgenda, has recently been unveiled as an extraordinary metaverse venture, aiming to serve as a virtual communication hub for the global design community. Marking its debut, the Metrotopia Metaverse introduced a virtual exhibition titled ‘Knowledge Transfer’ at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale.

The exhibition showcases the latest creations from renowned architecture firms such as OMA, Morphosis, Coop Himmelb(l)au, UnStudio, MAD, Sou Fujimoto, Archi-Union, LAVA, CAP, EcoLogic Studio, and ZHA. This display immerses visitors in a digital realm where they can explore and engage with contemporary architectural designs.

In alignment with the theme of the 18th Biennale, ‘The Laboratory of the Future’ curated by Lesley Lokko, the exhibition within Metrotopia emerges as an influential component of this event. Metrotopia encompasses various elements, including CityX, a collection of virtual pavilions suspended above Venice, showcasing the research work of architecture teachers worldwide. Additionally, Metrotopia’s physical exhibition, held at Palazzo Ca Zenobio and hosted by the New York Institute of Technology, features an array of exemplary student works from numerous architectural institutions.

all images ©Metrotopia Metaverse, Leeza Soho Tower by ZHA

Metrotopia fosters innovation & engagement within the design community

‘We have invited leading firms to feature their most future-oriented work inside Metrotopia. Some of us noted that recent Biennales diverged from presenting the major architectural designs of our time. Our idea therefore is to foreground architecture’s actual contribution to urban development, in its most advanced incarnations,’ described Zaha Hadid Architects principal Patrik Schumacher.

Metrotopia Metaverse, constructed using Unreal Engine 5, is a multiplayer virtual environment that offers a realistic and interactive experience. With the incorporation of spatial sound, users can engage in lifelike communication and interaction within a visually stunning setting, enabling the faithful visualization of designed objects and spaces. Mytaverse serves as the technology partner and hosting platform for Metrotopia, ensuring seamless operation and accessibility.

Landmark Tower by Sou Fujimoto

A virtual city hub for culture and design

Metrotopia aims to establish itself as a dynamic virtual city and a cultural and creative hub for the broader design ecosystem. It brings together diverse design disciplines, including urban design, architecture, interiors, furniture design, product design, fashion design, and graphic design, along with associated educational institutions, galleries, museums, exhibitions, Design weeks, Biennales, awards, conferences, as well as publishing houses, magazines, and web-media dedicated to design-related content. By encompassing this extensive range of resources, Metrotopia fosters collaboration, innovation, and engagement within the design community.

ZHA has undertaken the design of Metrotopia’s inaugural incubator building and initial urban core, incorporating intervisible spaces. As Metrotopia continues to evolve, additional architects and interior designers will join forces to contribute their perspectives, resulting in a diverse and multi-authored cityscape. By fostering collaboration and co-location synergies, Metrotopia aims to cultivate an energetic atmosphere reminiscent of the most vibrant city districts, fueling creativity and innovation within its virtual realm.

Contract of Fiction Gallery by LAVA

‘While we are transferring the technology developed by the gaming industry, Metrotopia leaves all associations with video-gaming behind. Our audience are creative professionals looking to expand their cultural communication, global reach and ways of displaying, networking and collaborating,’ explained Schumacher.

‘While early adopters have been those in the ecosystem who are pioneering Web 3.0 via NFTs, or via metaverse designs, there can be no doubt that the metaverse as an immersive web that enables spatial browsing navigation, real-time multi-user interaction and crowd experiences will take off with everybody onboarding soon enough. Once adoption crosses a certain threshold irresistible network effects will be unleashed. Metrotopia stands ready to anticipate and embrace this moment,’ he continued.

Landmark Tower by Sou Fujimoto

Nodeul Island by Minimaforms

Leeza Soho Tower main building

Leeza Soho Tower Auditorium

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Zaha Hadid Architects, Leeza Soho Tower

UNStudio, Four Frankfurt

SCI-Arc Faculty, Projects by Studio Kinch, Soomeenhahm Design and Studio Igor Pantic, Lifeforms.io, Brash

ZHA, Leeza Soho Tower main building

Coop Himmelb(l)au, Museum of Contemporary Art and Planning Exhibition (MOCAPE)

MAD, The Cloudscape

OMA, The Hospital of the Future

NFTism exhibition

Archi-Union Architects, RuiXue Multi-Hall

 

project info:

name: Metrotopia Metaverse

initiative: Zaha Hadid Architects and ArchAgenda

designers: Zaha Hadid Architects

urban and architectural design of virtual environment lead: Patrik Schumacher

metaverse map design
ZHA CODE: Jennifer Durand, Shajay Bhooshan, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth.
ZHVR: Jose Pareja Gomez

exhibition building levels design
ZHA CODE: Binru Wang, Jianfei Chu, Shajay Bhooshan, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth
ZHA IA: Bidisha Sinha, Chhavi Mehta, Marco Pavoni

Metaverse Integration for Unreal Engine
ZHVR: Jose Pareja Gomez
ZHA CODE: Jennifer Durand, Keerti Manney

metaverse content optimisation
ZHA CODE: Sergio Mutis, Keerti Manney, Jennifer Durand, Taeyoon Kim, Ling Mao, Henry David Louth, Vishu Bhooshan
ZHVR: Jose Pareja Gomez

documentation graphics & multimedia
ZHVR: Jose Pareja Gomez
ZHA CODE: Taeyoon Kim, Jennifer Durand, Keerti Manney, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth, Shajay Bhooshan

ZHA exhibitions and archives: Henry Virgin

Metrotopia technology partner and hosting platform: Mytaverse

contributing exhibitors and projects:
OMA, The Hospital of the Future

Coop Himmelb(l)au, Museum of Contemporary Art and Planning Exhibition (MOCAPE)

Sou Fujimoto Architects, Landmark Tower
UNStudio, Four Frankfurt
Morphosis, Jinhua Cultural Centre

MAD, The Cloudscape

Archi-Union Architects, RuiXue Multi-Hall

Contemporary Architecture Practice, Lijia Smart Park Innovation Center West District

LAVA, Contract of Fiction Gallery

Zaha Hadid Architects, Leeza Soho Tower

Zaha Hadid Architects for Kenny Schachter, NFTism exhibition: Open Book

Minimaforms, Nodeul Island

EcoLogicStudio, Habitat One: The Architecture of the Carbon Neutral City

SCI-Arc Faculty, Projects by Studio Kinch, Soomeenhahm Design and Studio Igor Pantic, Lifeforms.io, Brash Collective, Kordae Jatafa Henry, Jeremy Kamal, Angelica Lorenzi, Jennifer Chen