Zaha Hadid Architects has teamed up with Chicago-based ArchAgenda to launch METROTOPIA. It is a unique virtual world and aims to be a virtual clearinghouse for the global design community.

The METROTOPIA metaverse was also introduced at the virtual Venice Architecture Biennale under the title of Knowledge Transfer, Showcases include OMA, Morphosis, Coop Himmelb(l)au, UNStudio, MAD, Sou Fujimoto, Archi-Union, LAVA, CAP and EcoLogic Studio And new works by some of the world's leading architecture firms, including Zaha Hadid Architects.

Qatar Modular Hospital Al Daayan/OMA

Haikou Yundong Library/MAD Architects

Beijing Lize SOHO/Zaha Architects

Shenzhen Contemporary Art and Urban Planning Exhibition Hall/Blue Sky Group

Chengdu Tianfu Agricultural Expo Garden Exhibition Hall/Chuangmeng International

Shenzhen "Sky City"/Sou Fujimoto

Frankfurt, Germany/UNstudio

Island of Nodeul/Minimaforms

The metaverse work at the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale responds to the overarching theme of "Laboratory of the Future" set out by lead curator Lesley Lokko. "METROTOPIA" is part of the Biennale's ancillary activities, along with CityX: a collection of virtual pavilions that hover over Venice and showcase the research work of architecture teachers from around the world.

Meanwhile, a physical exhibition by the New York Institute of Technology at the Palazzo Ca Zenobio aims to showcase the work of students from a wide range of architecture schools. "METROTOPIA" will also be exhibited at the Chicago Architecture Biennial later this year.

Patrick Schumacher, principal of Zaha Hadid Architects, said: "We have invited leading companies from around the world to showcase their most future-oriented work in METROTOPIA. One of the things we noticed in recent years was that the biennale had diverged from the architectural designs showcased in our time. Our concept, therefore, was to highlight the urban contribution of architecture to urban development and to present its most cutting-edge forms."

The METROTOPIA meta-universe is a multi-player virtual environment built using Unreal Engine 5, featuring spatial sound effects and realistic communication and interaction in a lifelike virtual environment, so that the characteristics and quality of design objects and Spaces can be faithfully visualized. The technical partner and hosting platform for the METROTOPIA project is Mytaverse.

METROTOPIA is intended to be a virtual city and a hub for creative and cultural industries for a broader design ecosystem. The project will include various forms of design disciplines such as urban planning, architecture, interiors, furniture, products, fashion, graphic design, conferences, related houses on public display, magazines and online media.

METROTOPIA's first "incubator" building and its first urban core, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, are now open to the public. An increasing number of architects and interior designers will rapidly come together to create a multi-designer cityscape and create synergies of collaborative positioning for the most dynamic urban areas.

"We're using the same technology that the game development industry uses," says Patrick Schumacher, "but METROTOPIA leaves all the video game stuff behind. "Our users are professional creatives who want to expand their means of cultural exchange, global reach, presentation, networking and collaboration through this platform.

"While the early adopters were the ones in the design ecosystem who ushered in the Web 3.0 era through NFT or metacomes design, there is no doubt that metacomes, as an immersive network, enable spatial browsing navigation, real-time multi-user interaction, crowdsourcing experiences and more as people log in. Once usage exceeds a certain threshold, irresistible network effects kick in. It will also be a moment that METROTOPIA is ready to embrace."

Project information

METROTOPIA [1]

"Knowledge Transfer" virtual exhibition [2] as part of "Students for Researchers: Creative Practice and University Education" exhibition [3],

It is an accessory event of the 18th International Venice Architecture Biennale, open from 20 May to 26 November 2023.

remarks

[1] The "METROTOPIA" meta-universe is a virtual city center for culture and design. It was launched by Zaha Hadid Architects in conjunction with ArchAgenda and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

[2] Curators of the virtual exhibition "METROTOPIA" and "Knowledge Transfer" in the CITY: Patrik Schumacher, Daniela Ghertovici, Tom Kovacac

[3] "Students for Researchers" physical exhibition at Palazzo Cazenobio, Venice Curated by: Maria Perbellini, Associate Curator: Marcella Del Signore, Sandra Menninger, Athena Papadopoulou * This is a condensed list, please refer to the respective event listings for a complete curatorial list

[1] Founders of METROTOPIA metaverse: Zaha Hadid Architects' Virtual environment Urban and Architectural design division headed by Patrick Schumacher and ArchAgenda

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

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

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

Meta-boundary content optimization:  Jose Pareja Gomez

Archival image and multimedia Design: ZHVR: Jose Pareja Gomez ZHA CODE:  Taeyoon Kim, Jennifer Durand, Keerti Manney, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth, Shajay Bhooshan

ZHA Exhibition and Archives: Henry Virgin

Metrotopia technology Partner and hosting platform: Mytaverse