Boldly billed as “London’s newest landmark building and the world’s first centre dedicated to improving our knowledge of urban sustainability,” The Crystal forms a striking, angular, dark glass construction.
Located in the Royal Victoria Docks, east London, the centre is fairly easy to access, although the best way to visit is by taking a trip across the Thames in the cable car from North Greenwich.
Opened in September 2012, The Crystal is a ‘sustainable cities’ initiative by German multinational engineering and electronics conglomerate company Siemens.
Given that company’s less than salubrious past, it’s probably a good idea to keep Greenwash Detectors on full alert during your visit..
That said, it’s still an entertaining way to pass away an hour or so, although there’s so many different exhibits and pulsating lights it can get a bit overwhelming at times.
The exhibition is made up of ten zones, namely:
- Creating Cities
- Smart Buildings
- Safe and Sound
- Go Electric
- Water is Life
- Healthy Life
- Clean and Green
- Keep Moving
- Future Life Forces Of Change Theatre.
I really liked this multi-screen video presentation in the grandly named Forces Of Change Theatre.
There was no shortage of buttons to push, which is always a good thing in my book.
A view taken near the entrance.
Once you’ve finished shuffling around the ‘global knowledge hub ‘ that is The Crystal, there’s a rather splendid cafe to visit. Shame there was no sustainable china cups on offer, but the food and coffee weren’t bad at all.
More info:
The Crystal
Royal Victoria Docks 1
E16 1GB London
www.thecrystal.org/
o207 055 6400
Opening hours
Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (please check before setting out).
Admission free.
Cafe opening hours:
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
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