Foster + Partners Projects Featured “Living Tech Gallery”

Foster + Partners has officially participated in the new permanent exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Museum, which opened fully to the public on February 6.

The “Living Tech Gallery” is one of three newly established permanent exhibition spaces at the museum, focusing on how innovative technologies drive social progress and pave the way for better living. Foster + Partners co-curated the “Smart Life” section of the gallery, presenting a series of architectural models including: the HSBC Headquarters in Hong Kong, Techo International Airport in Cambodia, the BDO Unibank Inc. Manila Campus, and a Lunar Habitat project. These works highlight multiple sustainability themes, exploring flexibility in office spaces, innovative construction methods, references to local architectural traditions, climate responsiveness, and biophilic design. Accompanying videos explain the practice’s sustainable framework for carbon footprint assessment and environmental analysis.

Luke Fox, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, said:
“We are honored to be the only invited architectural practice to contribute to the planning of this new permanent gallery. It is also a great pleasure to see our work exhibited in the Hong Kong Science Museum on a permanent basis. Since winning the design competition for the HSBC Headquarters in 1979, we have been rooted in this city. That project redefined the form and concept of a new generation of office towers. From the very beginning, we have regarded technology as a core tool for driving innovation and sustainable design—a philosophy that continues to shape and guide our approach today.”

Projects by Foster + Partners featured in the Living Tech Gallery include:

• HSBC Headquarters, Hong Kong (1979–1986)
  This project reflects the unique character of Hong Kong’s banking industry and how it should be expressed architecturally. Flexibility in layout was a key focus, allowing easy reconfiguration of spaces. Under site constraints, a prefabricated modular system enabled rapid construction. Three towers of varying heights created large, continuous, and adaptable office floors. Public double-height floors, connected by escalators, organized internal circulation and provided a more human scale and experience.
• Techo International Airport, Cambodia (2020–2025)
  Inspired by one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the new airport responds to the tropical climate while embodying local identity. The ceiling design draws from traditional weaving techniques, with lattice ceilings suspended beneath a lightweight steel grid shell. Natural light filters into expansive interiors throughout the day. 180 skylights are arranged around structural “tree columns,” ensuring deep penetration and even distribution of daylight.
• BDO Unibank Inc. Manila Campus (2018–2027)
  Unlike the typical fully air-conditioned office towers in Manila, this campus design draws on traditional local wisdom to respond to the hot, humid climate. Detailed solar studies identified areas of highest radiation, which were shaded using metal lattice screens inspired by traditional weaving patterns.
• Lunar Habitat Project
  Since 2012, Foster + Partners has collaborated with NASA, Branch Technology, and Stanford University to explore the possibility of human habitation on the Moon. Working with the European Space Agency and NASA, the practice has developed architectural feasibility concepts for extraterrestrial living. The habitat system consists of interlocking modules built by 3D-printing robots, using lunar regolith, bio-based composites from Earth, and recycled materials from space missions. This approach significantly reduces rocket payload mass and minimizes the cost of transporting building materials from Earth.

For more information about the new gallery, please visit the Hong Kong Science Museum’s official website.