The 6,400sqm building features a 270-seat auditorium and an exhibition on urban sustainability
Technology company Siemens this week launched the £30m Crystal, a glass-clad exhibition, events and innovation centre in London’s Royal Victoria Docks that aims to become a focus for debate and research on sustainable cities of the future.
The centre is the largest of three planned by the company, with two smaller facilities planned for Shanghai and Washington. Following two inaugural conferences, it will open to the public on September 29.
The 6,400m2 building features a 270-seat auditorium and an interactive exhibition on urban sustainability, showcasing technical solutions that could make life in cities more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The project also includes office space for Siemens in-house experts on urban technologies as well as external collaborators, and will house to research projects to develop innovations of tomorrow. It also includes an electric vehicle re-charging point and a café.
The building was designed by Wilkinson Eyre, built by contractor ISG, with project management and CDM co-ordination by Turner & Townsend.
The Crystal is all-electric, using solar power and ground source heat pumps. Two thirds of its roof is covered in PV panels which generate around 20% of its energy load. All water used in the building will be recycled or reused.
The electronics and electrical engineering company has several divisions that it believes will benefit from the growing market for technology-driven sustainable solutions, including building technologies, power distribution, mobility and logistics, and rail.
“Cities worldwide are making investments to improve their water supplies, power grids, transportation systems and building infrastructure. In this growth market, the Crystal will help us intensify dialogue with our customers,” says Roland Busch, chief executive of the company’s Infrastructure and Cities sector.
Harry Hayward, a director at Turner & Townsend said: “We are proud to have been involved in this unique urban project which supports Siemens’ vision to inspire a new wave of education and learning in the fields of technology and sustainability.”
According to the company, cities account for around 80% of global economic output, two-thirds of global energy consumption, and 70% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
Technical solutions that could make life in cities more sustainable are showcased
