Foster + Partners has opened its first comprehensive exhibition in Australia, titled 'Civic Vision,' showcasing the renowned architectural practice's global portfolio spanning nearly six decades. The exhibition is being held at Parkline Place, the firm's latest completed project in Sydney, developed by Investa on behalf of Oxford Properties Group and Mitsubishi Estate Asia, and will run until December 21, 2025.
The exhibition provides an in-depth overview of Foster + Partners' evolution since its founding in 1967 by Norman Foster, exploring the practice's distinctive design approach and its continuous exploration of civic architecture across different contexts and scales. The presentation traces the firm's development through six decades of architectural innovation, strategically showcasing early groundbreaking projects alongside recent developments to highlight the continuity of ideas and their adaptation to changing global contexts.
'Civic Vision' is thoughtfully organized around three central themes: Community & Culture, Living & Working, and Planning & Mobility. The exhibition features a carefully curated selection of Foster + Partners' Australian works, including the prestigious Deutsche Bank Place and the iconic Salesforce Tower at Sydney Place. These local projects are presented alongside internationally acclaimed landmarks such as the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Headquarters, Hong Kong International Airport, London's distinctive 30 St Mary Axe (known as 'The Gherkin'), Berlin's historically significant Reichstag, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi.
The exhibition strategically positions these diverse projects within broader discussions on contemporary urban development and public space design, illustrating how thoughtful architecture can meaningfully engage with social and environmental contexts over extended periods. Since the 1960s, Foster + Partners has consistently combined cutting-edge technological advancement with careful considerations of sustainability and civic life, contributing to urban planning initiatives and building designs that directly address contemporary environmental and social challenges.
'Civic Vision' also reflects deeply on architecture's crucial role in shaping the modern city through innovative concepts of density, openness, and connectivity. By drawing attention to recurring design themes such as natural light integration, structural innovation, and ecological considerations, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how built environments continuously evolve in response to changing societal needs and technological possibilities.
The exhibition brings together projects of vastly different scales and geographical contexts, presenting a unique opportunity for visitors to consider architecture as an integral part of an ongoing dialogue between design innovation, technological advancement, and the public realm. This comprehensive display demonstrates how Foster + Partners has consistently pushed the boundaries of architectural possibility while maintaining a deep commitment to human-centered design principles.
In related developments, Foster + Partners has recently revealed ambitious designs for the second phase of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) campus in Oxford, which will expand the interdisciplinary research and development complex within the prestigious Oxford Science Park. The practice has also successfully completed the Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which was specifically designed to enhance regional connectivity and support sustainable economic growth. Additionally, in Milan, AC Milan and Internazionale Milano have received preliminary approval from the City Council for the sale of the historic San Siro Stadium, paving the way for a new international-standard venue and an accompanying comprehensive urban regeneration plan reportedly being led by Foster + Partners in collaboration with MANICA.
