Among the more speculative contributions to the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale’s main exhibition, Heatherwick Studio’s Space Garden imagines a celestial prototype for an autonomous, orbiting greenhouse. Developed in collaboration with the Aurelia Institute, the project challenges our perceptions of space and sustainability, considering how cosmic agriculture can be humanized and harnessed through biophilic space design to enhance life on Earth. ‘Space Garden started as an experiment in humanising space, by growing the plant species that make small spaces work better for your mental health,’ says Thomas Heatherwick, ‘but ultimately it’s also about using the unique ‘backyard’ of low Earth orbit to benefit life on our planet.’

The model stands with a somewhat surreal presence amid the brick walls of the Corderie dell’Arsenale, shaped as a cluster of 30 growth pods stemming from a luminous central chamber representing a pomegranate tree — one of the earliest plants to be cultivated by humans. Each pod, with an individually controlled climate, contains a different plant species, fungi, or algae grown from a community garden on Earth. They open and close in response to environmental conditions, shielding themselves from debris or rotating to capture sunlight via their photovoltaic cells.

Space Garden on view at Venice Architecture Biennale | image by Nik Eagland

heatherwick studio & aurelia institute humanize nature in space

‘I’m fascinated by outer space,’ says Thomas Heatherwick. ‘But, maybe surprisingly, not in its own right. Instead, by its potential to help humans live better lives on Earth.’ For Heatherwick, and Aurelia Institute’s founder and space architect Dr. Ariel Ekblaw, the project sits within a broader interest in Offworlding, which the team has been continuing to develop over the years. This idea, which is set to launch with real-world applications in the near future, centers on shifting manufacturing and resource-heavy industrial processes into orbit to ease the pressure on terrestrial systems on Earth, protecting it from pollution.

The project also fits closely with the curatorial direction of this year’s Biennale — themed Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective — which explores how these different forms of intelligence can be brought together to confront systemic challenges facing humanity. Space Garden enters this dialogue by proposing a living, automated environment that bridges engineered systems and botanical life. ‘The unique environment of space offers us an extraordinary opportunity to design for humanity’s greatest challenges on Earth,’ says Ekblaw.

completed by Heatherwick Studio and Aurelia Institute | image by Nik Eagland

testing crop growth in space while protecting the earth

The garden here is presented as part of a reciprocal system between the domains of the cosmos and the Earth. Research shows that certain materials and biological processes perform better in microgravity environments: the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, for example, or the development of new tissue cultures. But historically, the design of space habitats has focused almost exclusively on survival; keeping humans alive in hostile environments. With Space Garden, Heatherwick Sutdio and Aurelia Institute push that conversation further, asking what it would take not just to survive in space, but to ultimately live well. In the same way, they consider how life in space might help humans on Earth to reconnect with nature, even in the most extreme environments.

Although Space Garden presents a model design prototype to pose large questions, its underlying vision is backed by applied research and a stated intent to build a functioning prototype. The team is already developing internal technical components in partnership with Daikin Industries, focusing on air and water management systems adapted for space. A section model of one pod has also been built at Autodesk’s Technology Center in Boston as part of Aurelia’s research program. The system, once implemented, will be used for testing autonomous horticulture in space to enable longer space exploration missions, and to support better agricultural strategies in resource-constrained environments on Earth.

a cluster of 30 growth pods | image by Marco Zorzanello, courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia

luminous central chamber | image by Marco Zorzanello, courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia

onsidering how cosmic agriculture can be humanized through biophilic space design | image by Nils Koenning

the pods open and close in response to environmental conditions | image by Nils Koenning

each pods contains a different plant species, fungi, or algae | image © designboom

the Space Garden is part of a reciprocal system between the cosmos and the Earth | image © designboom

image © designboom

project info:

name: Space Garden

architect: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio, Aurelia Institute | @aurelia_institute

location: Corderie dell’Arsenale, Venice, Italy

program: Venice Architecture Biennale | @labiennale

dates: May 10th — November 23rd, 2025

The post heatherwick studio’s space garden at venice biennale orbits earth for enhanced human living appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

designboom joins designer Thomas Heatherwick and Longchamp CEO Jean Cassegrain inside the newly renovated Longchamp flagship, La Maison Unique, in New York. Ahead of the public opening, the duo reflects on their long-standing collaboration and presents the store’s intimate new interiors, nearly two decades after the building’s first transformation. The flagship was originally unveiled in 2006 as La Maison Unique. At that time, it marked one of Heatherwick Studio’s earliest works and has since remained a New York destination for design lovers with its ribbon-like staircase.

‘With this new space, we let loose a bit,‘ Heatherwick notes. ‘Now it has a sense of randomness which I’ve come to appreciate.’ Today, the renewed interiors offer an atmosphere that feels at once familiar and transformed. It is attuned to a different cultural rhythm, but is grounded in the same spirit of invention.

images courtesy Longchamp

a partnership which started with a bag

The partnership between Heatherwick Studio and Longchamp began not with a building in New York, but with a bag. ‘This project started back to front,’ Heatherwick recalls. ‘We’d made a bag built entirely of zip.’ The unlikely origin speaks to the designer‘s fascination with scale and material, a thread that carries through from product design, to architecture, to urban planning. Originally, the design of La Maison Unique faced an immediate dilemma — a compressed street-level footprint and an expansive upper floor. ‘We had to lure people upward,’ Heatherwick tells designboom. ‘That became the problem to solve.’ The result is a sweeping sculptural staircase, a ribbon-like hillside that cuts through the building and functions as both a circulation system and an interior landscape.

In its current iteration, this now-iconic staircase returns updated in the brand‘s Energy Green, further referencing the gently climbing hillside which it mimics. ‘We’re not retail designers,’ Heatherwick says. ‘Our passion is making places that connect with people’s emotions.’ His approach here is at once about the display and the journey.

Heatherwick’s Longchamp flagship reopens with renewed interiors nearly two decades after its 2006 debut

towards intimacy and randomness

Material gestures guide the experience throughout. Industrial columns are wrapped in carpeting which swells into swirling green rugs, an inversion of the expected. ‘Carpets want to be flat,’ Heatherwick reminds us. ‘So we wanted to do the opposite.’ The team worked with heritage French textile maker Lelièvre to wrap these structural elements in a tactile softness so that they blur the line between structure and furniture. In transforming an industrial space into a living room, Heatherwick Studio embraces these obstacles with a playful solution.

The second floor is curated with vintage mid-century pieces — croissant-shaped sofas, Gio Ponti tables, and Danish bar stools. Some furnishings were designed by Heatherwick’s team, while others were sourced to align with Longchamp’s postwar beginnings. ‘It’s a reference to the beginnings of our brand,‘ says Cassegrain. ‘And to the idea that retail doesn’t need to be rigid. The looseness makes it feel more like a home.’ Interspersed among the furniture are archival Longchamp objects, each bringing another layer of history and handcraft.

the new design retains the signature ribbon staircase, now in Energy Green to draw visitors upward

For Longchamp CEO Jean Cassegrain, the updated New York flagship, La Maison Unique, reflects how retail itself has changed over two decades. ‘We used to think in terms of efficiency,’ he explains. ‘Now we think in terms of comfort.’ The renewed space embraces this shift. The laminated logic no longer informs every decision. Instead, interiors open toward plush seating and vintage design objects. ‘We give more space to the customer,’ Cassegrain explained. ‘We want them to feel welcomed, and to linger.’ There is a sense that the store has transitioned from a dramatic display case to welcoming salon.

While many of Heatherwick Studio’s spatial ideas remain from the original 2006 intervention, the renovation of Longchamp’s New York flagship marks a tonal departure. ‘We were more rigid back then,’ said Heatherwick. ‘Everything followed a north-south logic. Now we’ve let go a little. There’s a softness, an ad-hocness.’ This evolution is intentional. Even the light now reaches deeper into the space, thanks to newly opened sightlines across the facade. Instead of controlling every gesture, the design now welcomes imperfections and interactions.

interiors blend structure with furniture and shelving that emerge from the floor and ceiling

carpeted columns created with French textile maker Lelièvre soften the industrial building

vintage furniture and archival objects reference Longchamp’s midcentury origins

the renewed space prioritizes comfort and emotional connection over efficiency

welcoming new interiors encourage lingering and social interaction

project info:

name: La Maison Unique

architecture: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

brand: Longchamp | @longchamp

location: 132 Spring Street, New York, NY

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Singapore breaks ground on Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5), a major milestone in what promises to be one of the world’s most ambitious airport expansions (find designboom’s previous coverage here). Designed by KPF, Heatherwick Studio, and local firm architects61, the upcoming terminal is envisioned as a next-generation air hub capable of handling 50 million passengers annually. Complete with advanced automation, green design, and intuitive architecture, T5 is set to be both mega and cozy, reshaping Singapore’s global gateway as it prepares for the future of air travel. The terminal is scheduled to open in the mid-2030s, forming the centerpiece of the Changi East development, a 1,080-hectare district that merges aviation, logistics, and urban lifestyle infrastructure.

‘Inspired by the essence of Singapore, the terminal will be a place of lush greenery and characterful districts that redefine what an airport can be,’ shares Thomas Heatherwick, design director of Heatherwick Studio. ‘And instead of building another monolithic transit hub, we’re making a unique place that you’d want to travel to, rather than just travel through—one that heartily welcomes both travelers and the local community.’  

Terminal 5 is an integral part of the Changi East development | images courtesy of Changi Airport Group

curved roofs allow natural light to enter the space

At once monumental and human-centric, the terminal’s design by American architecture firm KPF, together with London- and Shanghai-based Heatherwick Studio, takes cues from Singapore’s hybrid identity, where city meets garden. A canopy of overlapping curved roofs, dubbed ‘roof leaves’, breaks the massing down into a collection of human-scale volumes, allowing natural light to flood into the interior while creating spaces that feel calm and familiar. This layered roofscape improves orientation and ambiance but also offers a spatial rhythm that reflects the airport’s broader ambition to remain globally competitive while staying rooted in Singaporean culture. ‘Too often, airports are designed as pure machines for movement—efficient but impersonal, reducing passengers to mere numbers in a system,’ notes Trent Tesch, design principal of KPF. ‘Instead, T5 is conceived as a vibrant microcity that is distinctly Singaporean — lush, layered, and deeply human. It integrates nature, cultural discovery, and moments of wonder, transforming travel from something to endure into something to enjoy. Rather than endless corridors and passive waiting, it offers spaces that engage, surprise, and delight, proving that an airport can be more than just a gateway — it can be a destination in itself.’ 

Terminal 5’s roof design is an assembly of overlapping roof leaves with varying heights

A launchpad for logistics, lifestyle, and next-gen connectivity

Functionality and flexibility drive the terminal’s next-gen DNA. State-of-the-art airport systems, automated check-ins, and contactless touchpoints are embedded throughout the space, creating a future-proofed infrastructure that can scale in response to demand or adapt to global health contingencies. Singapore Airlines will consolidate its operations here, and passengers will experience shorter walking distances, aided by a new Automated People Mover (APM) that connects T5 to Terminal 2. Wayfinding is intuitive by design, reducing the reliance on signage and encouraging stress-free navigation.

Beyond aviation, T5 is envisioned as a destination in itself. A Ground Transportation Centre will integrate train, bus, and taxi systems, enhanced by planned extensions of the Thomson-East Coast and Cross Island MRT Lines, boosting accessibility from the city. In the surrounding district, the Changi East Urban District will emerge as a new lifestyle and business zone, while the adjacent Changi East Industrial Zone reinforces Singapore’s strategic ambitions in aircraft maintenance and air cargo logistics.

the curved shapes of the roof allow natural light to fllter through

all the buildings in Terminal 5 will be connected via an automated people mover system

arriving passengers can hop onto the automated system, which will bring them to the Arrival Immigration Hall

passengers are greeted by Terminal 5’s vertical gardens

the sculpted columns and ceilings of the underground MRT station mimic rain trees

T5 will be a place of shared experiences

project info:

name: Changi Airport Terminal 5 | @changiairport

architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) | @kohnpedersenfox, Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

location: Changi Airport, Singapore

local partner: Architects 61 | @architects61
local sub-consultants: SAA and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers
engineers: Arup Singapore Private Limited, Mott McDonald, and Surbana Jurong
retail design: DP Architects Pte Ltd

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Heatherwick Studio has won the competition to redesign the Coex Convention Centre in Seoul, setting the stage for a major transformation of one of South Korea’s most significant conference and exhibition venues. In collaboration with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the studio aims to replace the existing generic glass structure with a dynamic and engaging space that reflects Seoul’s evolving identity.

Currently, the Coex Convention Centre in Seoul spans 350 meters, but its current facade lacks distinctiveness and does not adequately represent its role as a hub for trade, culture, and innovation. Heatherwick Studio’s winning design introduces a fresh concept inspired by a ‘Cabinet of Curiosities,’ which will transform the venue into an interactive destination that draws visitors even outside of official events. Slated for completion in 2029, the Coex Convention Centre redesign adds to Heatherwick Studio’s growing portfolio in South Korea.

the project will transform the existing glass structure into a dynamic cultural destination | images © Devisual

heatherwick studio’s dynamic Architectural Approach

Heatherwick Studio’s proposal for the Coex Convention Centre in Seoul features modular ‘boxes’ of varying sizes stacked along the exterior, providing spaces for exhibitions, public engagement, and conference activities. With this innovative approach, the architects maximize material reuse while creating a visually compelling and accessible facade, a departure from the fortress-like appearance of the existing structure.

Stuart Wood, Executive Partner and Group Leader at Heatherwick Studio, emphasized the project’s goal to redefine convention centres as lively cultural spaces. ‘Ironically for places that bring people together, most convention centres feel imposing and uninviting and are often devoid of public activity. Our design will radically reinvent Coex to become a new cultural destination for the city of Seoul that attracts both locals and visitors alike.

‘Varied and unusual, our ‘display case’ design offers endless potential to curate art, performance, dining, entertainment, and nature, serving as a true representation of Seoul’s creative power. We want Coex to become an irresistible place that is open, dynamic, and always culturally relevant.’

the new design features modular boxes stacked along the exterior for exhibitions and public engagement

Expanding Public Engagement in seoul

Heatherwick Studio’s vision for the Coex Convention Centre in Seoul extends beyond its visual transformation. The project reimagines the ground floor as a public space with diverse activities that encourage both visitors and residents to linger and explore. This new public realm will connect seamlessly with the adjacent park, providing the Gangnam community with an inviting space, even when no events are scheduled.

At the upper levels, the redesigned Coex Convention Centre in Seoul will include new indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring a balance between formal event functions and public accessibility. A sky garden and viewing deck will offer panoramic views of Seoul and the Han River, reinforcing the venue as a year-round attraction rather than a space limited to scheduled conventions.

Heatherwick Studio has embedded sustainability into the Coex Convention Centre project in Seoul, ensuring that it not only meets but exceeds future environmental standards. The redesign prioritizes: Maximizing material reuse; enhancing energy efficiency; improving indoor and outdoor environmental comfort; and promoting overall well-being for visitors and occupants.

the facade redesign maximizes material reuse and enhances accessibility and visual appeal

the ground floor will be reimagined as a public space connecting with the adjacent park in Gangnam

project info:

name: Coex Convention Centre

architect: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

location: Seoul, Korea

completion: expected 2029

visualizations: © Devisual | @devisualchina

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A new district designed by Heatherwick Studio has opened in Xi’an, China, celebrating the city’s rich heritage of craftsmanship and ceramics. The Xi’an Centre Culture Business District (CCBD) introduces a dynamic urban landscape that integrates retail, green spaces, and cultural nods to the ancient capital’s historical legacy.

Situated south of Xi’an’s historic center, the CCBD lies between the ruins of the Temple of Heaven and the Shaanxi TV Tower. This 155,000-square-meter development blends retail spaces, terraces, open plazas, offices, apartments, and accommodations with walkable streets and a vertical park. Its layered design creates a neighborhood that connects seamlessly with the city while offering modern amenities.

images © Qingyan Zhu

A Tribute to the area’s Ceramic Heritage

Ceramics are at the heart of Heatherwick Studio’s design, drawing inspiration from the city’s famous Terracotta Army. The facade, columns, and curving beams are clad with crafted ceramic tiles, created in collaboration with local artisans. The architects employed over 100,000 tiles with a unique glaze, developed after more than 2,000 experiments which even included full-scale mock-ups of the columns. The resulting design invites visitors to interact physically with the materials, creating a tactile and visual connection to the neighborhood’s historical roots.

Thomas Heatherwick, founder of Heatherwick Studio, described the district as a celebration of public space: ‘Here in Xi’an, we were excited to create a commercial district which gave the city an extraordinary new piece of public space… The goal of the whole project was to find a joyful and contemporary way to respond to the history of Xi’an and bring people together.’

The design integrates various construction details that enhance the human-scale experience, offering spaces for residents and visitors to gather, explore, and connect.

Heatherwick Studio designs a new culture and commerce district in Xi’an

The Xi’an Tree: A Vertical Park

The centerpiece of the development by Heatherwick Studio is the Xi’an Tree, a 57-meter-tall vertical park located at the central plaza. Visitors can ascend its 56 terraces, which feature cascading gardens inspired by the biomes of the ancient Silk Road, from alpine tundra to dry steppe. The Tree offers panoramic views of the district’s interconnected rooftops, terraces, and streets, as well as the surrounding cityscape.

Heatherwick Studio designed the district to provide visual complexity at three scales — City Scale: The district features a distinctive skyline inspired by the roofs of Xi’an’s Chinese temples; Street Scale: Interlocking frames and terraces create diverse vantage points, enhancing the spatial experience; Human Scale: Materials such as ceramic planters, soft-edged paving stones, and intricate details like hand-carved timber and glazed surfaces offer a tactile, sensory experience for visitors.

Heatherwick Studio’s partner Mat Cash emphasized the importance of creating a development with character and variety: ‘Super large-scale developments are often overbearing and devoid of character. In contrast, we wanted to infuse our project in Xi’an with the spirit, variety, and texture that happens naturally in cities over time. The district pays homage to the city’s tradition of making and its historic connection to ceramics.’

the xi’an tree offers 56 terraces with gardens inspired by the silk road biomes

ceramics inspired by the terracotta army feature prominently in the facade

the design integrates retail streets, offices, green spaces, and a vertical park

the skyline references traditional chinese temple roofs in its architecture

the project combines city-scale impact with human-scale tactile details

over 100,000 glazed tiles were crafted with input from local artisans

project info:

name: Xi’an CCBD

architect: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

location: Xi’an, China

photographer: © Qingyan Zhu

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Now open once more with a steel net covering, New York City‘s 150-foot, honeycomb-like structure, the Vessel, was designed by Heatherwick Studio, and has been a point of controversy since its debut in March 2019. Its ‘alien’ form has been met with mixed reactions, at once being described as Escher-esque with its dizzying maze of stairs, and being likened to a larger-than-life shawarma. Thomas Heatherwick intended for the place to be a public climbing experience, inviting visitors to ascend more than 2,500 steps to experience a spiraling, ever-changing view of the city.

In a short film released upon the project’s opening, Heatherwick described it as an amphitheater for the people, and revisited precedents including the complex stepwells of India with their criss-crossing stairways. Regardless of its varied critiques by New Yorkers, the intricate network of staircases and landings quickly became a popular tourist destination in the growing neighborhood.

images © Paul Clemence / ARCHI-PHOTO

New photographs captured by paul clemence

It wasn’t aesthetic qualms which caused the Vessel’s closings. Four young people under the age of twenty-five have committed suicide from the Vessel during its short run. This time around, Hudson Yards developer Related Companies is even more optimistic as physical safety barriers have been put in place — a measure encouraged by the community in the past. According to a spokesperson for the developer, these barriers include ‘cut-resistant’ steel-mesh nets on ‘several’ of its twisting stairways and platforms. The structure’s top level has been closed to visitors. Architectural photographer Paul Clemence has climbed the honeycomb structure to capture views inside the newly netted landmark.

‘I was curious to see how that solution looked in person, how it affected the design. The net itself is quite subtle, and its perception depends a lot on the light,’ comments photographer Paul Clemence, describing his impressions of the new safety measure. ‘But the structure supporting it I feel interferes a bit with the design. Not all of the Vessel features the net, but the areas without it are now no longer accessible to the public. It’s shame, but at least it is a solution for visitors to enjoy the Vessel experience safely.’

the Vessel in new york city reopened with new steel net safety barriers

the vessel’s timeline

Unfortunately the Vessel’s open design by Heatherwick Studio presented safety challenges in New York before it was draped in its new steel net. In January 2021, the structure was closed after a third suicide in less than a year. It reopened in May 2021 with new measures in place to deter self-harm attempts — this meant that visitors to New York’s Hudson Yards were only be permitted in pairs or groups in a bid to increase safety. Notably, after months of consultation with experts, developers had decided against raising the height of the barriers. Although solo visits were banned, it was a teen visiting with his family that became the fourth to commit suicide. Thus, these measures proved insufficient and the Vessel was closed again in August 2021. At last, the landmark reopened for the third time on Monday, October 21st, 2024.

designed by Heatherwick Studio, it has been both celebrated and criticized since 2019

now wrapped in steel net

The news of the Vessel’s reopening in New York, even with its new wrapping, has been met with mixed reactions. Some are hopeful that the new safety measures will ensure that it will remain an enjoyable experience, secure for all visitors. Others remain concerned about the ethics of reopening a structure that has been associated with multiple suicides.

Chair of the Manhattan community board Jessica Chait comments: ‘While we think it took Related four lives too many to make these physical adjustments, these are the changes we requested, which will allow for prioritizing the safety of everyone who visits the Vessel.‘

Of course, the Vessel is not unique. It’s important to remember that suicide can occur at any place. This attraction is just one example of a high place that has been involved in suicides. Bridges and tall buildings are also unfortunately common locations, which generally can not be closed to the public. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that approximately 1,660 deaths by suicide occurred in New York State in 2021.

the structure’s intricate stairs and height offer changing views, but have posed safety risks

the Vessel faced multiple closures due to suicides, leading to calls for improved safety

past safety measures like banning solo visits proved ineffective at preventing tragedies

with a new steel mesh netting, Related Companies hopes for safer public visits

the top level remains closed while lower levels are secured with cut-resistant nets

project info:

name: The Vessel

architect: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

location: Hudson Yards, New York, NY

developer: Related Companies

previous coverage: March 2019, January 2021, May 2021, August 2021

photography: © Paul Clemence / ARCHI-PHOTO | @photobyclemence

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Heatherwick Studio unveils a rippled hourglass-shaped design for Hanwha Galleria, the famed shopping center in Seoul. The proposed design features two symmetrical crystalline buildings with illuminated atria and plant-filled rooftops. Their undulating glass facades create a soft, glistening effect during the day. This design emerged from a competition aimed at reimagining six sites in the South Korean capital. The brief called for a concept that would challenge conventional notions of luxury department stores and affirm South Korea’s growing influence as a global cultural powerhouse. The project also follows the recent announcement of the appointment of Thomas Heatherwick, the studio’s founder, as General Director of the fifth edition of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, to be held in 2025.

the proposed design features two symmetrical crystalline buildings | all images courtesy of Devisual

A Public-Centric Design for Hanwha Galleria

Hanwha Galleria, situated at a major crossroad with views of the Han River, is located in the Apgujeong-dong neighborhood of Seoul. The project serves as a focal point between the residential and shopping districts of Gangnam and aligns with the city’s vision to revitalize the Han Riverbanks. Heatherwick Studio’s design redefines the store’s connection to the local area by transforming the façade and surrounding spaces into public areas accessible to everyone, whether they are shopping at the mall or simply enjoying the vicinity. This approach contrasts with traditional, inward-facing shopping centers, fostering a more inclusive and integrated urban environment.

‘Traditionally, department stores are quite inward facing, they feel closed off to the surrounding streets. But here we have an important intersection in Apgujeong with two buildings, east and west, that felt like an opportunity to bring people together,’ shares Neil Hubbard, partner and group leader at the British architecture studio. ‘Combined with Hanwha’s ambition to bring more activity to the buildings, we wanted to provide a strong overall silhouette that creates a gateway, but also gives Seoulites new garden-like spaces to meet, shop and enjoy their city.’

the silhouettes of the buildings mimic rippled hourglasses

Rippling Silhouettes and Elevated Green Spaces

The Galleria features two symmetrically opposed twin buildings—similar but not identical—connected by an underground passage. Above ground, their silhouettes mimic rippled hourglasses, with the narrower sections serving as nature-filled public spaces. At street level, the distinctive shapes of the buildings align to frame views of the Han River through and between them. As visitors ascend from the redesigned subway entrance, they are welcomed into airy, light-filled atria that lead to landscaped plazas on the ground level. Their journey continues to an open mid-level garden with cafes, restaurants, and shops. The plant-filled rooftops offer additional green spaces, and together with the glass façades, provide varied viewpoints and reflections of the city. These outdoor areas are designed to showcase natural beauty throughout the year with a selection of native plants and thoughtful landscaping.

Both buildings feature a double-layered skin, enhancing sustainability and providing a platform for art exhibitions and events. The crystalline glass exterior imparts a sense of softness during the day, while at night, the outer layer transforms into a vibrant backdrop for glowing projections.

the narrower sections of the structures serve as nature-filled public spaces

at night, the outer layer of the facade transforms into a backdrop for glowing projections

project info: 

name: Hanwha Galleria 
architect: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio
location: Seoul, South Korea
renderings: Devisual | @devisualchina

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London‘s most ambitious regeneration project, Olympia, has today revealed its transformative glass canopy, designed by Heatherwick Studio. This architectural milestone marks a pivotal moment in the project’s evolution from an exhibition destination to a global landmark for culture and entertainment. Celebrating the original architectural innovation of the 138-year-old exhibition halls, designed by Sir Henry Edward Coe, the project will enhance the experience of the revitalized masterplan, creating 2.5 acres of new publicly-accessible open space, packed out with restaurants and bars and a lush roof garden with views over the capital, created for future visitors and the local community to enjoy. 

all images courtesy Heatherwick Studio

five large curved structural steel arches echo the site’s past

The glass canopy by Heatherwick Studio (see more here) consists of five large curved structural steel arches, each with a span of 22 meters. The transparent roof, constructed of 520 rectangular low-iron glass panels, covers nearly 1,000 square meters with a pleated glazing motif inspired by the fcçade of the Grade II* listed Grand Hall. Paying homage to the barrel vaults, the structure establishes a visual link to Olympia’s storied past while embracing cutting-edge and pioneering design, showcasing sustainable practices that optimizes glass panel usage to minimize waste and improve overall material efficiency. 

image © Raquel Diniz

Situated above ground level, the canopy structure fans out to form an inviting gesture from afar. Echoing the continuous arched shape of the Grade II* listed Grand Hall and Grade II listed National Hall sitting adjacent to it, the canopy is clearly visible from the bustle of Hammersmith Road below, tempting pedestrians to ascend the escalators and investigate. This connection to the street is crucial to opening up the new Olympia and enhancing public access distinctively. The mezzanine level will offer public seating amid landscaping, providing visitors and the local community a new perspective through the clear span of the historic exhibition roofs, which have sat above Olympia for many decades. Forming part of the development, several concepts of premium dining and drinking experiences will bring an additional lifestyle offering, further invigorating Olympia as an animated new hub for the neighborhood.

image © Raquel Diniz

olympia to become a new major destination in london

‘Olympia was once a people’s palace – a place to come together and experience unusual things. Having lost its way over the years, we’re now working to bring back its original spirit and make Olympia open and available to everyone. At the heart of this mission is the new central canopy. Influenced by the vaulted glass roofs of the original exhibition halls, the new canopy will be the beginning of a world-class public space that’s available to everyone, whether you’re attending a show at the new theatre, work in one of the nearby offices or are simply passing by,‘ shares Thomas Heatherwick. 

Once completed, Olympia will blend the exhibition halls with two world-class hotels, a buzzing F&B with 30+ restaurants, a live music hall managed by AEG Presents, a theatre by the Trafalgar Entertainment Group,  the Wetherby Performing Arts School, a partnership with The BRIT School, and of state of the art offices. This destination is projected to attract over 10 million visitors annually. Olympia is currently under development by real estate groups Yoo Capital and DFl, and is co-designed by SPPARC. 

image © Raquel Diniz

image © Raquel Diniz

project info:

name: Glass canopy

location: Olympia, London, UK | @olympialondon

architect: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

co-architect: SPPARC

developers: Yoo Capital and DFl

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Heatherwick Studio has won a global competition to transform the uninhabited Nodeul island on the Han River in the center of Seoul into a new public park. Dubbed Soundscape, the proposal creates a trail of dramatic spaces on different levels that can host musical performances and artistic interventions in a biodiverse landscape. The design draws inspiration from Seoul’s mountainous terrain and the patterns created by soundwaves and was selected following a year-long series of exhibitions, consultations, and a public vote. ‘In this hyper-digital age, we’ve had so many amazing innovations in the way people live but there has also been an increasing sense of loneliness and isolation.  We want to make a hyper-physical place that reconnects Seoulites with nature, culture and, most importantly, with each other,’ comments studio founder Thomas Heatherwick. 

all renders © MIR, courtesy Heatherwick Studio

turning nodeul island into public park inspired by soundwaves

Bending and folding like soundwaves, the Soundscape public park will offer residents respite from the bustling city through a nature-infused waterfront at Nodeul Island. Stepping onto the island, visitors will move through a landscape that evolves as the tides and seasons change, met by an arts center and a public beach at ground level. Rather than demolishing the existing artificial landscape, Heatherwick Studio (see more here) seeks to strengthen the riverbanks with soft, naturalistic planting. The landscape will then rise to an event podium, which connects to a dramatic 1.2km skywalk. This trail will be formed of a series of small, floating islets held in the air, providing resting spaces with spectacular views across the island and the river back to Seoul.  

Heatherwick studios winning design for Soundscape at Nodeul Island

‘We’ve been really intrigued by how new interventions can really bring Nodeul Island to life.  Its not just about an exciting new aerial canopy, but developing a whole creative ecosystem, where spaces above and below the floating landscape are buzzing with activity,’ reflects Neil Hubbard, group leader and partner at Heatherwick Studio. Nodeul Island will be Heatherwick Studio’s first project in South Korea to go into construction. The studio will now start work with the Metropolitan Government on the following stages of design, and visitors should be able to enjoy the new Nodeul Island in 2027. In 2023, the studio curated a retrospective exhibition called Building Soulfulness at the Culture Station Seoul 284, attracting almost 60,000 visitors in just 60 days. 

a nature-infused waterfront in Seoul

the landscape will rise to an event podium, which connects to a dramatic 1.2km skywalk

the proposal creates a trail of dramatic spaces on different levels

the design draws inspiration from both soundwaves and Seoul’s mountainous terrain

Heatherwick Studio seeks to strengthen the riverbanks with soft, naturalistic plantings

the Soundscape public park will offer residents respite from the city

project info:

name: Soundscape

location: Nodeul Island, Seoul

architecture: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

renderings: MIR | @mir.no

The post heatherwick studio’s winning design for seoul’s nodeul island is a sound-inspired public park appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Heatherwick Studio has been chosen to create a design school and makers’ space for Universidad Ean in Colombia, a leading university with a focus on sustainability. The new building will be located on the university’s existing campus in central Bogotá’s Calle 72, one of the city’s main streets. The seven-story structure will be recognized at once by its unique facade made up of colorful, crafted columns and open terraces. This playful architecture draws inspiration from Werregue basketry, a traditional weaving technique specific to Colombia’s Wounaan indigenous community. This project will stand as Heatherwick Studio’s first building in South America, with work expected to begin in 2025.

construction will begin in 2025, marking the studio’s first project in South America | visualizations © Estudio Nod

heatherwick studio’s biophilic Design strategies

The new building by Heatherwick Studio is intended to become a central hub for the campus, complementing the existing historical structures and providing a much-needed public space for Bogotá, Colombia. The architects are also developing innovative facade materials to withstand Bogotá’s high altitude and intense sunlight, ensuring the building’s longevity. ‘Creativity is essential to Bogotá,’ said Eliot Postma, group leader and partner at Heatherwick Studio. ‘It’s everywhere you look. We want students to feel a sense of pride in their campus even before they enter the building. The public square in front serves as a welcoming communal oasis amidst the busy urban environment.’

the building will feature a colorful facade inspired by werregue basketry, an indigenous Colombian craft

According to the team at Heatherwick Studio, Colombia boasts the world’s second-highest level of biodiversity, and Bogotá is a recognized leader in sustainable development. Universidad EAN aims to celebrate this by incorporating the cloud forest that surrounds the city into the new building’s design. The architects’ biophilic design will feature local plant species on the open terraces, bringing nature into the city and fulfilling the city’s pledges as a signatory to the C40 Urban Nature Declaration.

the design incorporates open terraces and materials able to withstand Bogotá’s high altitude and sunlight

project info:

project title: Universidad Ean Design School and Makers’ Space

architecture: Heatherwick Studio | @officialheatherwickstudio

location: Bogotá, Colombia

client: Universidad Ean | @universidad_ean

visualizations: © Estudio Nod | @estudionod

The post heatherwick studio designs school in bogotá, colombia with a basket-woven facade appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.