- The first exhibition in Romania of Foster + Partners' work includes 30 models of iconic projects, from Apple Park to Trafalgar Square, masterplans for entire cities, and even a modular habitat for Mars.
- The "Future Proof" exhibition can be visited between April 7 and May 3, 2026, at the Palace of Culture in Iași
- IULIUS collaborates with Foster + Partners on two transformative projects for Romania: remodeling of the Palas mixed-use complex, in the vicinity of the Palace of Culture in Iași, respectively the reconversion of 38 hectares of industrial land in the center of Constanța
- The "Future Proof" exhibition precedes the first edition of TILIA - Romanian Cities Summit
The IULIUS Foundation inaugurated yesterday evening, during a vernissage at the Palace of Culture in Iași, the "Future Proof" exhibition signed by Foster + Partners, one of the most important architecture offices in the world, founded by Norman Foster. The works of the British office are presented to the Romanian public for the first time.
Stefan Behling, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “The themes we explore in this exhibition reflect the core values that underpin our design philosophy: learning from the past to meet the challenges of the future, strengthening connections between people and places, and promoting innovation to drive performance. Investing in the sustainable future of our cities has always been an integral part of the way we work . ”
“The Future Proof exhibition highlights our approach, which has always been defined by a forward-looking commitment to innovation and responsible design , ” said Maximilian Zielinski, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners.
The exhibition brings together 30 scale models and photographs of landmark projects, spanning six decades of Foster + Partners’ work on six continents. The works are not organized chronologically but thematically, with each section exploring a distinct dimension of the firm’s design philosophy.
- Past – Future brings together projects in which contemporary architecture dialogues with historic structures of civic importance: the reconversion of the Reichstag in Berlin into the new seat of the German Parliament, the glass roof of the Great Court at the British Museum (London), Hearst Tower (New York), Château Margaux Winery (Bordeaux) or Musée Narbo Via (Narbonne). The central theme: recycling an existing building can be much more sustainable than building a new one from scratch.
- Places of the Future presents interventions on an urban scale, through masterplans and projects in public space, illustrating how infrastructure, energy and green spaces can create resilient communities: Masdar City (Abu Dhabi), Trafalgar Square (London), Apple Park (Cupertino), Bloomberg headquarters (London) or Torre de Collserola (Barcelona).
- Future Performance explores structural innovation, from the Commerzbank headquarters (Frankfurt) – the world’s first green skyscraper – to the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (Hong Kong) which reinvented the typology of office tower buildings.
- Spatial Architecture closes the exhibition with projects that look beyond Earth: a modular habitat for the planet Mars, developed in partnership with NASA, and research into 3D printing for lunar constructions — directions that today generate concrete solutions for sustainable terrestrial constructions.
The exhibition is open to the general public from April 7 to May 3, 2026, at the Palace of Culture in Iași, in the Hall of Honor and the Henri Coandă Hall.
"The highest quality architecture should not be a privilege only for Western metropolises."
Foster + Partners’ presence in Iași is part of a long-standing strategic partnership with IULIUS. The company is collaborating with the global architecture firm on two transformative projects for Romania: the remodeling of the Palas Iași mixed-use complex, located in the immediate vicinity of the Palace of Culture, and the masterplan for the urban reconversion of 38 hectares of a former industrial platform in the central area of Constanța, the latter being one of the most ambitious urban regeneration projects in Europe.
"Bringing the Foster + Partners exhibition to Iași is not just a symbolic gesture, but a statement about what we believe our cities can be. The highest quality architecture should not be a privilege due only to Western metropolises. It can also be our privilege, being able to reshape the way we live, work and relate to public space. This premiere for Romania reconfirms that some dreams seem impossible until the right teams turn them into reality, but also that behind any project are, above all, people. Architecture can rebuild a square, but only people can rebuild trust" , declared Iulian Dascălu, President of IULIUS.
As part of the TILIA – Today's Ideas and Leadership In Action summit, the exhibition will be complemented by a masterclass hosted by the Foster + Partners team, where architects, urban planners and decision-makers alike will have the chance to have a direct dialogue about the application of these principles in concrete projects. The full agenda is available on the official TILIA–Romanian Cities Summit website.
At the first edition of TILIA - Romanian Cities Summit, an event hosted in Iași between April 23-24, 2026, over 300 participants (mayors, architects, urban planners, representatives of academia and civil society) are expected to discuss concrete solutions for the development of cities in Romania.
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