Green Factory
At the heart of MVRDV and The Why Factory's exhibition "The Green Factory" was a bold vision: a world where cities are enveloped and transformed by forests and plants. Exhibited at the O2 Museum in Hangzhou, this exhibition merged the meticulous research of The Why Factory with the innovative designs of MVRDV, creating a dynamic synergy that challenged the status quo of urban development.
- Location
- China Mainland
- City
- Hangzhou
- Year
- 2023
- Client
- Hangzhou Commerce & Tourism group co., Ltd
- Status
- Realised
- Programmes
- Educational , Cultural , Exhibition
Visitors were invited to immerse themselves in a living, green exhibition landscape permeating its every corner, and recollecting the transformative power of greening in urban environments. From Hangzhou to Singapore, Dubai to Paris, and New York, iconic cities were reenvisioned as vibrant green havens, offering a glimpse into a sustainable future shaped by nature.
Central to the exhibition was MVRDV's concept of "The Green Dip" representative of research by The Why Factory, MVRDV's associated global think-tank. Providing a thought-provoking exploration of the possibilities and effects of radical greening in our cities, the exhibition delved into global challenges driving the need for greening and presented the groundbreaking "Greenmaker" software concept, offering practical guidance on integrating plants into building surfaces with biome-specific considerations.
The exhibition's immersive park, symbolised humanity's ability to coexist harmoniously with nature. This extension of the exhibition space became an integral part of the surrounding urban fabric and was accessible to the public day and night. Over 26 innovative strategies for incorporating greenery into both individual buildings and urban landscapes were featured with MVRDV's extensive portfolio of greening projects, serving as a testament to MVRDV's commitment environmental stewardship. From carbon storage potential to biodiversity enhancement, each design proposal is meticulously calculated to maximise its positive impact on the planet.
"As pioneers in sustainable design, we believe that the time has come to scale up our efforts to create greener, more resilient cities," says MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas. "Through 'The Green Factory,' MVRDV aimed to inspire others to work towards a more sustainable future."
Demonstrating how nature and architecture can be intertwined to create thriving urban ecosystems for generations to come, the exhibition aims to inspire and encourage this integration in future urban development.
Gallery
Credits
- Architect
- Founding Partner in Charge
- Design and Production
- With special support from
- Partners
- The Why Factory :
- Javier Arpa Fernandez
- Adrien Ravon
- Lex te Loo
- Anna Sujkowska
- Curator:
- IDEAS
- Contractor:
- Rong De Mei Da
- Video Producer :
- Feng Yu Zhu
- Audio Producer:
- Daniel van Loenen