new eden project video by grimshaw explores the world’s biggest greenhouse
in the fourth feature of a film series documenting some of grimshaw's most significant work, we take an exclusive look at one of the UK's most popular visitor attractions.
in the fourth feature of a film series documenting some of grimshaw’s most significant work, we take an exclusive look at one of the UK’s most popular visitor attractions — the eden project. located in cornwall, the design comprises a sequence of eight inter-linked geodesic domes, covering 2.2 hectares and encapsulating humid tropic and warm temperate regions.
the project comprises a sequence of eight inter-linked geodesic domes
image © hufton + crow
the biomes’ cladding panels are triple-layered pillows of ETFE foil with maximum surface area and minimum perimeter detailing. ‘designing the biomes was an exercise in efficiency, both of space and material,’ explains grimshaw. ‘structurally, each dome is a hex-tri-hex space frame reliant on two layers. the efficiency of the frame relies on the components of the geometric shapes: steel tubes and joints that are light, relatively small and easily transportable.’
the ‘biomes’ cover a total of 2.2 hectares
image © peter cook / view
set within a former quarry, the enormous, yet lightweight, clear-span structures were partially inspired by buckminster fuller’s geodesic designs. the biomes received almost two million visitors in their first year of opening, with the eden project now the UK’s second most visited tourist destination outside london. see designboom’s ongoing coverage of grimshaw’s work here.
the structures encapsulate vast humid tropic and warm temperate regions
image © hufton + crow
the cladding panels are triple-layered pillows of ETFE
image © hufton + crow
the lightweight structures were partially inspired by buckminster fuller’s geodesic designs
image © hufton + crow
the biomes received almost two million visitors in their first year of opening
image © hufton + crow
like bubbles, the panels naturally adapt to the uneven topography
image © hufton + crow
the biomes at the eden project opened in 2001
image © hufton + crow
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project info:
location: cornwall, UK
client: eden project limited
area: 23,000 sqm / 247,570 sqf
status: completed in 2001
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