A walk around The Crystal, the world’s largest urban sustainability centre in east London

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

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.

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

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..

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

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 Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

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.

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

I really liked this multi-screen video presentation in the grandly named Forces Of Change Theatre.

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

There was no shortage of buttons to push, which is always a good thing in my book.

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

A view taken near the entrance.

The Crystal, east London - world’s largest urban sustainability centre

Crystal Cafe, Royal Docks, London

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

2 Comments on “A walk around The Crystal, the world’s largest urban sustainability centre in east London”

  1. Ooh,this gives me another ‘really want to see’ in London, and it’s free too. If only the same could be said about the train down there 😀

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