Grimshaw to join Future Cities Forum's infrastructure and green energy forum

Image: courtesy of Grimshaw

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Keith Brewis, Partner and .Anagha Mujumdar Potbhare, Principal at Grimshaw Architects will be contributing to our 'Infrastructure, energy and construction 2025' discussion forum next month at the London offices of DLA Piper.

They will be joining the Infrastructure & Projects Authority and NESO among other guests.

In their latest news, Gigatons, a global leader in sustainable mobility, has announced a collaboration with international architecture practice, Grimshaw, to support the worldwide roll out of EV charging solutions with its partners. Together, GIGATONS and Grimshaw will bring forward sustainable, design-led solutions that support the development of charging infrastructure for multi-modal use, adoption and integration.

GIGATONS, a technology and funding company, that recently led the deployment of GRIDSERVE’s EV charging infrastructure in the UK, will work with Grimshaw to develop a suite of designs that can be deployed and integrated across different city locations and transport systems: passenger vehicles, taxis, buses, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), marine, and aviation solutions. The solution promotes an approach that is inherently sustainable and composable, adopting modular principles, providing a distinct, recognisable seamless experience and identity for users.

The designs incorporate a system of expressed structural canopies which provide protection to charging bays and visual direction to users, as well as hosting high-performance PVs detailed to capture as much energy as possible, whatever the location. The efficiency of the form takes its cue from nature: branched glulam timber houses the technology and drainage in the trunk, supporting elements such as screens, lighting and audio.

This highly configurable kit of parts will enable offsite prefabrication and a systemised approach that reduces transportation demands, construction time and prolongs the built life. A digital twin to the solution will also enable configuration to rapidly assess sites and installation and predict demand and use, as well as monitor and evaluate energy and carbon management efficiently and in real time meeting ambitious targets in any city or region.

This work will also be part of GIGATONS’ contribution under its partnership with SAVI (Smart Autonomous Vehicle Industry), a cluster formed by Abu Dhabi Investment Officer (ADIO) in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, to focus on smart e-mobility solutions across land, sea, and air.

This collaboration will offer GIGATONS’ platform partners access to aesthetically and technically advanced solutions that prioritise efficiency, sustainability, and user experience: setting new standards for both functionality and design.

Grimshaw has also announced that construction has officially commenced for the Green Energy & Materials (GEM) Factory of the Future – an innovative research facility at the University of Maine focused on revolutionizing manufacturing through AI-enabled, large-scale bio-based additive manufacturing. The new facility, designed by Grimshaw in partnership with SMRT and Thornton Tomasetti, is a place of production where the manufacturing process itself is a central focus to drive continuous innovation.

The design of the GEM FoF is central to its identity, combining flexibility and adaptability to accommodate technological advancements over time. Its robust, industrial aesthetic reflects its purpose, with a mass timber structural frame and durable composite panels contributing to its functionality and resilience. The two-level GEM Gateway serves as the entrance to the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) campus while acting as a communal hub for the University and its visitors. This dynamic space functions as a “mixing valve,” bringing together students, faculty, researchers, and industry affiliates creating a true interdisciplinary coworking space. Its design emphasizes visibility and transparency, showcasing the center’s activities and fostering the free exchange of ideas.

Adjacent to the Gateway, the facility features student-centred spaces designed to foster innovation and collaboration. Learning labs are located at the building’s rear, while a multipurpose space on the second floor serves as a hub for capstone projects, offering expansive views of both the Gateway and the manufacturing bays. A standout feature is the Mini GEM, a workshop and digital twin of the full-scale manufacturing spaces that allows students to prototype and test ideas at a desktop scale before scaling them for production. At the heart of the facility are two expansive high-bay spaces, each with 40-foot clear heights and 120-foot lengths. These bays, purpose-built for advanced bio-based manufacturing, can fabricate components up to 60 feet wide and 100 feet long. This innovative setup not only supports ground-breaking product development but also enables the university to refine manufacturing processes, driving more sustainable, efficient, and forward-thinking production models.

By placing the manufacturing process at the forefront and creating a space that fosters collaboration and innovation, the GEM FoF, scheduled for completion in the summer of 2026, is poised to make a significant impact on both the state of Maine and the broader global community.

Image: courtesy of Grimshaw