Foster + Partners has opened its first comprehensive exhibition in Australia, titled 'Civic Vision,' at Parkline Place in Sydney. The exhibition, running from October 25 through December 21, 2025, provides an in-depth look at the renowned architectural firm's global portfolio of work since its founding in 1967 by Norman Foster. Located at Level 2, Parkline Place, 252 Pitt Street, the exhibition is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM with free admission.
Situated in Parkline Place, Foster + Partners' latest project in Australia, the exhibition focuses on the firm's significant contributions to urban environments and infrastructure. The display approaches the city as an integral component of a collective, sustainable future, showcasing how architecture can serve broader civic purposes beyond mere functionality.
Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, expressed enthusiasm about the landmark exhibition. 'We are delighted to be putting on this first-of-its-kind exhibition in Sydney – a city we have been working in for more than 25 years,' he said. 'This is a fantastic opportunity to reflect on our holistic approach to civic architecture, which has underpinned our work since the 1960s, and continues to evolve to meet the challenges of today.'
Muir Livingstone, Partner at Foster + Partners, emphasized the significance of showcasing their work in their own building. 'It is a great privilege to showcase the practice's work in Parkline Place – a project that we have been working on for the past six years – and the new home for our Sydney studio,' he noted. 'Our projects in the city exemplify the civic and sustainable approach that the exhibition centers on. From our first Sydney project, Deutsche Bank Place, which features a four-story public plaza at its base, to our work for Sydney Metro that is transforming the way thousands of people travel across the city.'
The exhibition strategically displays early projects alongside recent developments, highlighting both the durability of the firm's structures and ideas, as well as their capacity for evolution over time. By bridging past achievements with contemporary aspirations, Foster + Partners' Civic Vision aims to inspire new perspectives on the city of today and tomorrow, demonstrating the firm's consistent commitment to innovative urban design.
The comprehensive display is organized around three central themes: Community & Culture, Living & Working, and Planning & Mobility. It features a diverse array of the practice's Australian projects, including Deutsche Bank Place and Salesforce Tower at Sydney Place. The exhibition also showcases groundbreaking international designs, such as the iconic Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank headquarters and Hong Kong International Airport, which has been consistently voted among the world's best airports.
Additionally, the exhibition highlights other significant works including London's famous Gherkin building and Berlin's Reichstag German Parliament. Visitors will also get a preview of the soon-to-open Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating the firm's global reach and diverse architectural capabilities across different cultural contexts.
Since the 1960s, Foster + Partners' work has extended far beyond technological innovation to consider broader social objectives. The firm has pioneered the design of environmental masterplans and carbon-neutral cities while continuously exploring how sustainable design can enhance the quality of urban life. From the outset, their considerations of sustainability have gone beyond mere energy consumption to enhance user experience through clarity, function, orientation, natural light, and aesthetic appeal.
These comprehensive concerns have also informed the development of new types of civic spaces, innovative landscape design, and cutting-edge infrastructure solutions. Today, this philosophy of civic wellbeing combined with an ecological focus imbues each new project with a collective spirit and an imperative to reach new heights of environmental performance.
As the world continues to grapple with mounting environmental challenges, Foster + Partners has expanded both its approach and expertise to meet these pressing concerns. The Civic Vision exhibition looks across different time periods and scales to explore the firm's continued interest in the value of urban density, the necessity of natural light and green space integration, and the fundamental interconnectedness of the modern world.
The exhibition includes an acknowledgment of country, recognizing the firm's responsibility to act in the spirit of respect and reconciliation. The statement acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, on whose land Parkline Place and the Sydney studio are located, along with other built projects. It also recognizes the Yagara and Turrbal peoples in Brisbane, as well as the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples in Melbourne, two cities where the firm is currently working.
The exhibition has received generous support from several organizations, including Investa, Oxford Properties Group, Mitsubishi Estate Asia, ERCO lighting, and By Vincenzo. For additional information about the exhibition in Australia, interested parties can contact Kat Vidovic at +61 408 426 002 or visit KatVidovic.com.
