CRYSTAL PALACE

Idea and Urbanism 175 years ago, the Crystal Palace became a symbol of technological breakthrough and industrial ambition. Today, by utilizing the land reserve within the sports park—on the exact site where the original structure stood before its destruction—the project proposes a contemporary reinterpretation of the palace as a manifesto of modern engineering, sustainability, and economic resilience. The new Crystal Palace is conceived as both a tribute to the past and a forward-looking statement: a proof that Europe remains capable of delivering bold, large-scale projects based on advanced materials and innovative business models. The concept is structured around three key pillars: construction, ecology, and economy.

Construction The spatial scheme reinterprets the historic single-nave hall with a glazed roof, intersected by a representative main entrance axis. The overall dimensions closely follow the proportions of the original structure. The roof is formed by a modular system of steel diagrid space frames, which intersect in the entrance zone to create a vaulted canopy with a pronounced cantilever. The transparent envelope—made of advanced lightweight polymers—resembles a stretched membrane suspended over the structure, reinforcing the building’s visual lightness. Inside the lateral wings, a system of three-level terraces made of engineered timber creates a continuous, accessible landscape of platforms, ramps, and bridges, ensuring full inclusivity.

Ecology The vast interior volume is transformed into a botanical garden of the future, presenting plant species from across the globe. The transparent roof enables passive solar gain, creating controlled microclimates adapted to different biomes—from tropical to arid environments. Vegetation plays an active environmental role, regulating humidity and supporting natural air exchange within the building. A key component of the project is an integrated rainwater retention system, collecting water from the extensive roof surface and reusing it for irrigation of the internal ecosystems.

Economy The new Crystal Palace is designed as a self-sustaining economic model. The year-round botanical garden is combined with a flexible exhibition system based on Augmented Reality (AR). Through QR markers distributed throughout the space, visitors can access interactive content—3D models, simulations, and multimedia presentations—via smartphones or AR devices. This approach minimizes the need for physical installations while allowing for continuous transformation of the program—from technology exhibitions to fashion shows and sporting events. The result is a highly adaptable and commercially viable contemporary exhibition platform.

Summary The “Crystal AR Garden” is a contemporary reinterpretation of the historic Crystal Palace, reintroduced in its original location within a metropolitan sports park. The project combines: a structurally expressive diagrid shell, a lightweight, translucent roof, a multi-level timber landscape, and a globally curated botanical ecosystem. At its core lies the integration of digital and physical space—where AR technology enhances, rather than dominates, the natural environment. The building operates as both a public attraction and an economically viable system, merging tourism, culture, and flexible event programming into a unique, future-oriented exhibition model.