Eden’s Core – Nature’s Structure
Abstract
Introduction
In 1995 design work began to transform a worked out china clay pit in Cornwall into one of the countries leading tourist attractions and horticultural centres, the Eden Project. Phase one of the developments commenced on site in November 1998 and included the world’s largest climatically controlled biomes: two massive, ETFE foil clad, steel geodesic structures covering a plan area of 22,500 square metres. Initially other buildings on the 22 hectare site included a Visitor’s Centre and Link building (incorporating restaurants and plant handling areas).
Phase one was opened to the public in March 2001 and the predicted attendance was exceeded by a factor of three with almost 2 million visitors passing through the gates in the first year. In order to cope with the increased numbers the Visitor’s Centre was extensively re-fitted in Phase two and additional car parking facilities added. Phase three of development added the institute Building (a sustainable office building) and toilet blocks in cob construction in the remote car park. All the designs have included the application of sustainable construction wherever practical.
Author
Alan Jones