Metrotopia Metaverse

1 June 2023

Metrotopia is a unique metaverse venture, dedicated to becoming the virtual creative communication hub for the global design community, launched by Zaha Hadid Architects and Chicago-based ArchAgenda.

The Metrotopia Metaverse made its debut with a virtual exhibition titled ‘Knowledge Transfer’ at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, as part of the ‘Students as Researchers: Creative Practice and University Education’ Exhibition.

The exhibition showcased the works of renowned architecture studios such as OMA, Morphosis, Coop Himmelb(l)au, UnStudio, MAD, Sou Fujimoto, Archi-Union, LAVA, CAP, EcoLogic Studio and Zaha Hadid Architects, as well as artist Kenny Schachter and the SciArc Faculty.

Metrotopia Metaverse is a multiplayer virtual environment constructed using Unreal Engine 5. Metrotopia currently uses the Mytaverse hosting platform. The third party platform provides core movement and navigation functionality, as well as immersive spatial sound capabilities through Voice-over IP (VoIP) interactions and webcam streaming for conference-style events.

Access to the Metrotopia Metaverse is currently event-based and by invitation only, with exclusive login credentials provided by Zaha Hadid Architects and ArchAgenda to ensure a curated community of participants.

Aspiring to evolve into a virtual city, Metrotopia serves as a central hub for creative industries, cultural activities, and the broader design ecosystem. It brings together a multitude of design disciplines, encompassing urban design, architecture, interiors, furniture design, product design, fashion design, and graphic design. Additionally, Metrotopia serves as a nexus for related educational institutions, galleries, museums, exhibitions, Design weeks, Biennales, awards and conferences, along with associated publishing houses, magazines, and web-based media outlets.

Project Credits:

Project Team

Founders: Zaha Hadid Architects and ArchAgenda
Urban and Architectural Design of Virtual Environment Lead: Patrik Schumacher

Metaverse Map Design
ZHA CODE: Jennifer Durand, Shajay Bhooshan, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth
ZHVR Group:  José Pareja Gómez

Exhibition Building Levels Design
ZHA CODE: Binru Wang, Jianfei Chu, Shajay Bhooshan, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth
ZHA IA: Bidisha Sinha, Chhavi Mehta, Marco Pavoni

Metaverse Integration for Unreal Engine
ZHVR Group:  José Pareja Gómez
ZHA CODE:  Jennifer Durand, Keerti Manney

Metaverse Content Optimisation
ZHA CODE:  Sergio Mutis, Keerti Manney, Jennifer Durand, Taeyoon Kim, Ling Mao, Henry David Louth, Vishu Bhooshan
ZHVR Group:  José Pareja Gómez

Documentation Graphics & Multimedia
ZHVR Group:  José Pareja Gómez
ZHA CODE: Taeyoon Kim, Jennifer Durand, Keerti Manney, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth, Shajay Bhooshan

ZHA Exhibitions and Archive: Henry Virgin

Metrotopia Technology Partner and Hosting Platform: Mytaverse

‘Knowledge Transfer’ Virtual Exhibition Curators: Patrik Schumacher, Daniela Ghertovici

 Virtual Exhibition Design at Metrotopia
ZHA CODE:  Keerti Manney, Jennifer Durand, Taeyoon Kim, Henry David Louth, Vishu Bhooshan, Shajay Bhooshan
ZHVR Group:  José Pareja Gómez
ZHA IA:  Bidisha Sinha, Chhavi Mehta, Marco Pavoni
ZHA EXHIBITIONS AND ARCHIVES: Manon Janssens and Melodie Leung

Virtual Exhibition Integration for Unreal Engine5
ZHVR Group:  José Pareja Gómez
ZHA CODE:  Jennifer Durand, Keerti Manney

Virtual Exhibition Content Optimisation
ZHA CODE:  Sergio Mutis, Keerti Manney, Jennifer Durand, Taeyoon Kim, Ling Mao, Henry David Louth, Vishu Bhooshan
ZHVR Group:  José Pareja Gómez

Virtual Exhibition Documentation Graphics & Multimedia
ZHVR Group:  José Pareja Gómez
ZHA CODE: Taeyoon Kim, Jennifer Durand, Keerti Manney, Vishu Bhooshan, Henry David Louth, Shajay Bhooshan
ZHA Exhibitions and Archive: Henry Virgin

’Students as Researchers: Creative Practice and University Education’ Exhibition Contributing Exhibitors and Projects

OMA, The Hospital of the Future.
Coop Himmelb(l)au, Museum of Contemporary Art and Planning Exhibition (MOCAPE)

Sou Fujimoto Architects, Landmark Tower

UNStudio, Four Frankfurt 

Morphosis, Jinhua Cultural Centre
MAD, The Cloudscape
Archi-Union Architects, RuiXue Multi-Hall
Contemporary Architecture Practice, Lijia Smart Park Innovation Center West District
LAVA, Mexico Monde D’eau Hotel Resort
Zaha Hadid Architects, Leeza Soho Tower
Zaha Hadid Architects for Kenny Schachter, NFTism exhibition: Open Book
Minimaforms, Nodeul Island
EcoLogicStudio, Habitat One: The Architecture of the Carbon Neutral City
SCI-Arc Faculty, Projects by Studio Kinch, Soomeenhahm Design and Studio Igor Pantic, Lifeforms.io, Brash Collective, Kordae Jatafa Henry, Jeremy Kamal, AngelicaLorenzi, Jennifer Chen