Foster + Partners, in association with Dubai Design District (d3), is presenting its first exhibition in the UAE, entitled ‘The Art of Sustainable Architecture’, investigating the work of the practice through the lens of sustainability. Located in Building 6 Atrium between 31 January – 28 February 2019 at Dubai Design District.

Focussing on the importance of human experience in the design of the built environment, it also shines a light on Foster + Partners’ integrated approach to design that combines expertise from several disciplines. This approach brings unique design solutions that are tailored to the site, its context, users and culture. A wide overview of the practice’s work, the exhibition also asks pertinent questions about the future of the built environment, inviting the audience to creatively speculate about what their surroundings may be like over the next fifty years and beyond.

Sustainability has been a central theme of Foster + Partners’ work for more than five decades. In a wide variety of projects it has pioneered a holistic approach to issues of energy, water, waste and transport that remains integral to the practice’s work, which includes the sustainable Masdar City masterplan in Abu Dhabi, the Haramain High Speed rail in Saudi Arabia, two of the world’s first ecological office towers – the Commerzbank in Frankfurt and the Swiss Re headquarters in London, Apple Dubai Mall and the Index Tower in Dubai, and most recently, Bloomberg’s new European Headquarters in London – the world’s most sustainable office building.

Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners commented, “Promoting the sustainable design of our built environment is essential if we are to rise to the challenge of climate change. The Middle East has shown remarkable vision in endorsing a green future and we are delighted to have the opportunity to host this exhibition in Dubai showcasing our sustainable approach to architecture and urbanism.”

Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director at d3 commented: “We are delighted to support Foster + Partners, one of our architectural business partners, in their first exhibition at d3.Today’s environmental and economic challenges have brought sustainability to the forefront of design and production methods and it is important to recognise this. The UAE has taken great steps to incorporate sustainable design in the creation of living spaces, with a target to become one of the most sustainable cities by 2020. It is exhibitions like this that demonstrate the evolving design industry in both Dubai and the Middle East.”

The exhibition offers visitors a unique insight into the workings of the studio exploring the use of different tools that have revolutionised the way designers work. The exhibition includes models, photographs, drawings and films that illustrate the depth of research and analysis that goes into designing and building some of the most complex and innovative projects in the world.

The exhibition will be on display from 31 January to 28 February. There will be an accompanying lecture by Gerard Evenden on 31 January on ‘Sustainable Futures’ at 12.30pm at the Dubai Design District.