A Model of Innovatio­n in Paris

This week Here East CEO Gavin Poole embarked on a journey to Paris with Hawkins\Brown – the architects who designed Here East – to attend a private exhibition celebrating the ‘Best of British’ architecture and engineering.

Organised by the UK Department for Business & Trade, this exhibition was hosted at the British Ambassador's Residence in France and saw two full days of engaging discussions and exhibitions of contemporary UK architecture.

We were thrilled to see a 3D cross-sectional replica of Here East on show as part of this – lifting our concept and vision off the page by bringing our vibrant campus to life hundreds miles away from East London.

As one of approximately 20 businesses who exhibited the showcase, this gathering offered an exciting opportunity to connect with leading voices in government, industry, and renowned institutions – including RIBA, RSHP, Grimshaw, Foster and Partners, Weston Williamson, Buro Happold, Allies & Morrison, WilkinsonEyre and several more – as well as admire stunning installations from the likes of Vivienne Westwood.

Over the course of the two days, we heard from a diverse panel of exhibitors and experts discuss themes including sustainable cities, urban regeneration, designing for the community – and much more – with Hawkins\Brown holding two of their own sessions as part of this.

Also the architects behind The Gantry and UCL on our campus, Hawkins\Brown transformed what was once the Press and Broadcast Centre for the London 2012 Olympic Games into the award-winning campus as we know it today. Designed as a dedicated space where the worlds of innovation, education, enterprise, inspiration, and community collide, they curated Here East as a connected network of multi-functional spaces that bring diverse communities and industries together and inspire innovation, collaboration, creativity.

From its exposed structural elements, minimalist design, and innovative facades to the abundant natural light, large open atriums, and mixed-use flexible workspaces – our campus infrastructure and communal spaces physically embody our vision of the future. We created Here East as a model for change, and sharing this vision across borders and sectors like we did this week in Paris is vital to our mission to make it a reality in East London and beyond.

Echoing this, Here East CEO Gavin Poole shared his thoughts on the significance of the ‘Best of British’ showcase:

“From 2012 to today, London to Paris, post-Olympic infrastructure to home for innovation – it has been an exciting journey watching Here East come to life over the past decade. But this is just the beginning. This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to share how we have built a dynamic innovation ecosystem from London’s Olympic Legacy – underscoring exactly what makes Here East such a special place.”

Thank you to Hawkins\Brown, the UK Department for Business & Trade, and the British Embassy in France for inviting Here East to be part of this landmark exhibition – we look forward to connecting again soon.