Zaha Hadid Architects designs virtual Liberland Metaverse city

British architecture studio Zaha Hadid Architects has created a "cyber-urban" city in the metaverse where people can buy plots of land with cryptocurrency and enter digital buildings as an avatar.

Named Liberland Metaverse, the virtual city is a based on the Free Republic of Liberland – a micronation claimed by Czech politician Vít Jedlička that straddles disputed land between Croatia and Serbia.

ZHA is developing a city in the metaverse called Liberland

"While the Liberland Metaverse is meant to spearhead the development of Liberland as a libertarian micronation it will also function as free standing virtual reality realm in its own right," explained Zaha Hadid Architects principal Patrik Schumacher.

"The ambition is for it to become the go-to site for networking and collaboration within the burgeoning web 3.0 industry, its the metaverse for metaverse developers and the crypto ecosystem at large," he told Dezeen.

It is a digital replica of the physical micronation the Republic of Liberland

To access Liberland Metaverse, people have to file an application to become an e-resident of the physical micronation. Then they access the space via Mytaverse – a cloud-based platform that creates 3D environments.

Once inside the "cyber-urban crypto incubator", people can visit buildings designed by Zaha Hadid Architects including a city hall, plaza and exhibition centre.

Schumacher designed the space using the computer software parametricism

Zaha Hadid Architects designed all of the buildings in its typical style with curvaceous, sinuous forms and rounded corners. However, many of the buildings have elements not supported from the ground – something that is not possible with gravity in the real world.

The city hall, which is the city's central urban heart has a terraced walkway that wraps around the building. Inside, benches are arranged in a horseshoe configuration and the Liberland flag can be seen hanging on the wall.

The DeFi Plaza has been designed in ZHA's signature curvaceous style

According to its website, the virtual campus, which is surrounded by water, will be used as a "networking hub for crypto projects, crypto companies and crypto events".

People can also buy plots of land and set up businesses in the virtual city and if they do so, they will also have a stake in the physical Liberland.

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Schumacher designed the city using parametricism, a type of computer software used to generate architectural forms.

He believes that the metaverse will act as a catalyst for parametric design, as there are no urban planning limitations in the virtual spaces.

A city hall is located in the centre of the digital city

"The key advantages of virtual environments are their global accessibility and their adaptive, parametric malleability," Schumacher argued.

"The architectural and urban paradigm that is most congenial to this idea of a differentiated, evolving, multi-author urban field is parametricism," he said.

"We therefore predict that the development of the metaverse will boost parametricism."

Avatars can meet to work on crypto projects together

According to Schumacher, Liberland Metaverse could become a template for the micronation's eventual physical presence.

"Our conception of the metaverse is based on realistic design and photo-realistic rendering," he said.

"We believe this, at least in the initial stages of metaverse development, allows for the fullest exploitation of the city analogy, utilising our innate and learned intuitive cognitive capacities with respect to orientation, wayfinding and the reading of subtle aesthetic social atmospheres and situations," he continued.

"This realism in our cyber-urban conception also allows for the later physical realisation of the designed metaverse spaces in the physical Liberland, to any desired extent."

E-residents can also buy plots of land in Liberland Metaverse

The Republic of Liberland is an unofficial state that is not recognised by international organisation such as the United Nations.

Liberland is located between Croatia and Serbia on a plot of land that was unclaimed and uninhabited until 13 April 2015 when Jedlička proclaimed it as a country.

It now has its own community, flag, coat of arms, national anthem and a cryptocurrency called Liberland merit.

The architects hope the city will foster a crypto economy

Although Schumacher believes that the future of the internet is the metaverse, he argues that physical spaces will always coexist alongside virtual ones and that the fusion of both worlds will continue to strengthen.

"As long as we have physical bodies we'll need physical environments," he explained. "Virtual environments are as real as physical environments and social reality exists and continues seamlessly across this divide."

"Virtual and physical environments are ideally designed together," he added.

Architecture studios are increasingly turning to the metaverse to construct virtual buildings. Danish architecture studio BIG recently completed a virtual office in the metaverse for media company Vice Media Group.

Elsewhere architecture and interior design studio Roar purchased land for a new digital showroom.

The images are courtesy ofZaha Hadid Architects.

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Zaha Hadid Foundation to create permanent gallery in London

The Zaha Hadid Foundation has revealed plans to open a permanent gallery and study centre in London, six years after the death of its founder.

Planned across two separate locations, the facilities will be dedicated to the work and legacy of the Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, who established the charity in 2013.

One of the venues slated for use is the former Design Museum at Shad Thames. The second is the old office of Zaha Hadid Architects in Clerkenwell.

Foundation to realise Hadid's "intended vision"

The announcement by the Zaha Hadid Foundation (ZHF) comes six years after the sudden death of Hadid at the age of 65.

According to the foundation, her untimely death led to a delay in creating the charity's permanent space. It now plans to create a gallery and museum, alongside offices, a study centre and a research facility.

While the details of their design and construction are yet to be revealed, the foundation stated that it will "carry out [Hadid's] intended vision".

ZHF also revealed that as part of the project, 10,000 works by or related to Hadid will be made publicly accessible, both physically and digitally.

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Hadid established the ZHF charity in 2013. Today it is headed up by art historian Paul Greenhalgh.

It exists to preserve and showcase the work of Hadid and support the advancement and enjoyment of modern architecture, art and design. It also champions upcoming creative talent "from diverse and complex backgrounds" in reflection of Hadid's own career path.

Support to be given to students with "complex backgrounds"

"Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi woman, and an émigré who moved first to Lebanon before making London her permanent home," ZHF explained.

"Her rise to global prominence was by no means an easy one," it continued. "In this spirit, ZHF will actively support young people and students from diverse and complex backgrounds in their quest to become architects, designers and scholars."

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Hadid founded her eponymous studio in 1980. Among her many accolades were the Pritzker Prize, which she was awarded in 2004, and the Stirling Prize, which she won in 2010 for the MAXXI Museum in Rome and in 2011 for the Evelyn Grace Academy in London.

In December 2021, her studio announced it had become employee-owned to establish a "more accessible and egalitarian" profession.

While Hadid's death caused delays in establishing a permanent home for the ZHF, plans could also have been hampered by a four-year-long dispute between the four executors of her estate – Rana Hadid, Patrik Schumacher, Peter Palumbo and Brian Clarke.

The portrait of Hadid is byMary McCartney.

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David Chipperfield Architects and Zaha Hadid Architects suspend work in Russia

Architecture firms David Chipperfield Architects and Zaha Hadid Architects have announced they are halting work on projects in Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine.

David Chipperfield Architects said it "condemns the actions of [Russian president Vladimir] Putin" and is suspending all its work in Russia as a result.

Among its ongoing projects in the country is the renovation of the Central Telegraph building in Moscow.

Zaha Hadid Architects has also paused work on its projects in Russia, telling Dezeen it is "shocked and saddened by the conflict" that began on 24 February.

The move by the two British practices comes a day after a similar announcement by Dutch studio MVRDV.

Yesterday, MVRDV announced that it was stopping work on its five projects in Russia, stating that it stands "in solidarity with all the people who are defying and protesting against this war".

"We call for an immediate end to this human tragedy"

David Chipperfield Architects, which has offices in London, Berlin, Milan and Shanghai, said its clients were understanding of its decision.

"Given the invasion of Ukraine, and with the full understanding and support of our clients, David Chipperfield Architects has decided to suspend all work in Russia," the studio said in a statement.

"We condemn the actions of Putin and the Russian government and stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its people," it added.

"As a practice we believe in dialogue, openness and engagement; values that are directly opposed to the ongoing war. We call for an immediate end to this human tragedy and our thoughts are with the innocent victims of this unjustified action."

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David Chipperfield Architects shared a statement on Instagram

Zaha Hadid Architects, which has worked on numerous projects in Russia, said it was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the situation in Ukraine and was stopping work in the country.

"ZHA has worked in Russia for four decades," the studio said. "Zaha Hadid was originally inspired by works of the Russian avant-garde and many of our staff have taught architecture students at universities across the country."

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"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the conflict in Ukraine and have placed our two ongoing projects in Russia on hold," it added.

"We have completed our contracted works on all other projects in the country and continue to monitor guidance from the UK Government."

Among Zaha Hadid Architects' Russia projects is the Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2 in Moscow that is being built as part of an expansion of the city's metro system, pictured above, and the Sberbank Technopark in Moscow.

Architecture organisations release statements supporting Ukraine

Architecture organisations have come out in protest against the invasion, with the National Union of Architects of Ukraine calling upon the International Union of Architects to expel the Union of Architects of Russia from the organisation.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has also commented, stating: "Our thoughts are with all those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has exposed the horrific effects of conflict on communities, and put the role that architecture plays in building resilient, collaborative and inclusive societies into sharp relief."

Meanwhile, over 6,500 Russian architects have signed an open letter condemning the invasion, saying the country's architects and urban planners consider it "unacceptable."

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Zaha Hadid Architects begins construction on Ukranian metro stations

British firm Zaha Hadid Architects has begun construction on three new stations for the Dnipro Metro in Ukraine as part of a four-kilometre line extension.

The trio of Zaha Hadid Architects-designed stations — Teatralna, Tsentalna and Muzeina – form part of the metro line extension in the city of Dnipro that first broke ground in 2016.

Zaha Hadid Architects has designed three stations for the Dnipro Metro in Ukraine

The stations are set to open in 2025 and will run linearly through the city nearby the Dnieper River.

Once complete, the extended line will connect the city centre, Dnipro-Holovnyi train station, businesses, education and cultural institutions with Dnipro's eastern neighbourhoods.

The stations boast a sculptural look

On ground level, each station will take shape as a visually connected family of sculpted shell pavilions, constructed from recycled steel sourced locally from the city.

Visuals show the entrances to the stations as undulating welded steel forms that rise and arch from newly designed, landscaped public plazas that aim to centre the entrance pavilions as landmarks.

The interiors of the stations will feature undulating wall panels

"The city of Dnipro has a long history as a centre of excellence in engineering, metallurgy and manufacturing," said Zaha Hadid Architects.

"These rich traditions are echoed in the welded steel entrance pavilions of the city's new metro stations."

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Inside the stations, the ticket halls, metro platforms and corridors will all have a similarly sculptural look.

Stretches of lighting will undulate between and across curved white panelling that covers and arches across the ceilings and walls.

Each of the stations will have a slightly different design

"The design of the ticket halls is unique to each station while the interior concourses, corridors and platforms share a cohesive formal and spatial logic that gives the Dnipro Metro a strong identity," said the practice.

"Defined by concepts of intuitive navigation, the interiors are designed to orientate and direct passengers through each station while enhancing their experience to ensure safe, comfortable and enjoyable transport across the city."

The entrance pavilions will be constructed using recycled steel as a tribute to the city's manufacturing history

The project forms part of the city's ongoing plans to upgrade its transport systems, while also reducing traffic congestion in its central neighbourhoods.

It will also provide residents and visitors with easy access from the city centre and eastern areas to Dnipro's parks, beaches and leisure facilities along the banks of the river.

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Zaha Hadid Architects, now led by Patrik Schumacher, is currently working on several other transport infrastructure projects in the region.

They include a high-speed-train station in Tallinn and the Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2 in Moscow.

---

Project credits:

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects

Design: Patrik Schumacher

ZHA project director: Manuela Gatto

ZHA project architect: Yevgeniya Pozigun

ZHA project team: Seungho Yeo, Tommaso Casucci, Mark Winnington, Elena Scripelliti, Federico Borello, Garin O’Aivazian, Veronica Erspamer, Branko Svarcer, Catherine McCann, Evgeniya Yatsyuk, Olga Yatsyuk, Jose Pareja Gomez, Jung Yeon Kwak, Li Jin, Nicolas Turchi, Shajay Bhooshan, Vishu Bhooshan, Aiste Dzikaraite, Veronika Ilinskaya, Houzhe Xu

Client: Dnipro City Council

Contractor: Limak Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. [Turkey]

Structures : Schlaich Bergermann Partner SBP [Stuttgart]

Facade engineering: Eckersley O'Callaghan EOC [London]

Architectural lighting: Office for Visual Interaction Inc. [New York]

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Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects yet to endorse RIBA climate report presented at COP26

More than 200 built environment organisations have endorsed a report by RIBA and Architects Declare setting out ways to decarbonise the industry, although leading UK architecture studios including Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects are yet to join the signatories.

Industry body the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and pressure group Architects Declare presented the report, titled Built for the Environment, to policymakers at the COP26 climate conference on Tuesday.

The 80-page paper calls on governments to overhaul building codes to better regulate buildings' energy performance and to include targets relating to the built environment in their climate pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions.

RIBA presented its climate report (above) at COP26 (top)

It also compiles evidence about the building industry's impact on the environment and calls on the sector to take a more proactive approach to sustainability.

Some 220 built environment organisations have endorsed the report, but only five of the 20 largest practices operating in the UK are on the list of signatories published on the RIBA website.

Leading studios "not aware" of report

However, numerous studios claimed they were never asked to endorse the report. Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects, the UK's largest and third-largest UK studios respectively, both told Dezeen they were not contacted about the report.

Zaha Hadid Architects said its low carbon group and sustainability team will now "be reviewing the report". Dezeen contacted Foster + Partners but had not received a reply at the time of publication.

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Stride Treglown, which last week installed a sculpture of a sinking house on the River Avon to draw attention to climate change ahead of COP26, also said it was not aware of the report.

"It's not that we don't endorse the report, we do and would be keen to have our name added to the list of endorsers if there was an opportunity to do so," a spokesperson for the studio said.

"We've just been focused on our mission to action change, highlighted by our Sinking House project which we hope sends a clear message about the need for action."

Endorsements re-opened following "positive interest"

Other top architecture studios BDP, Allies and Morrison and Sheppard Robson all told Dezeen that they support the Built for the Environment report and will be seeking to get their names added to the list of endorsers.

"The Built for Environment report is an excellent resource – a compelling primer outlining the contribution of the built environment to the climate crisis, and the potential it holds to address it," said James Woodall, head of sustainability at Allies and Morrison.

RIBA insisted that all its members were informed about the report and invited to endorse it before publication.

However, the organisation confirmed to Dezeen that it has re-opened endorsements until 30 November 2021 "following further positive interest".

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"Hundreds of built environment companies are collectively urging governments to increase their ambition and commitment to tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies," said report editor Maria Smith, who is also a RIBA councillor and director at engineering firm Buro Happold.

"From monitoring and regulating embodied carbon, to reporting and targeting emissions reductions on a consumption-basis, this report aims to give confidence to all inside and outside the built environment that a better world is possible."

Among the report's other recommendations are calls for building regulations to set minimum standards on embodied carbon and the reuse of materials.

Foster and ZHA failed to sign climate challenge

In July, Dezeen reported that less than six per cent of UK architecture firms had signed up to the RIBA's 2030 Climate Challenge, which urges studios to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from buildings they design by the end of the decade.

At the time, Foster + Partners said signing up would be "confusing" as it already had its own sustainability manifesto launched in 2019, while Zaha Hadid Architects said: "We would not make any public commitment without being certain it's not only something we believe in but also something we are able to deliver."

Architects Declare was founded in 2019 by an initial group of 17 architecture studios, including Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects, and now has more than 1,000 signatories in the UK.

COP26 takes place at SEC Centre in Glasgow from 1 to 12 November 2021. See Dezeen Events Guide for all the latest information you need to know to attend the event, as well as a list of other architecture and design events taking place around the world.

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