THE EDEN PROJECT
|
Grimshaw
C O R N W A L L • U N I T E D K I N G D O M
JOSHUA F. HADDAD | 392498 | Environmental Design | Project Analysis | Tutor Fiona McLean
image shows: The Edges of the Biomes and the Reclaimed China Clay Pit during Construction image source: The Architects’ Journal, v. 213, Feb. 22 2001 (p. 31)
DETAIL | Bio-diversity
image shows: Rainforest Butterfly in ‘Tropics’ Biome image source: howstuffworks.com
THE LINK
image shows: Site Under Construction; The Link (connects 2 Indoor Biomes) materials used: made of Rammed Earth Walls & Green Roof
image source: The Architects’ Journal, v. 213, Feb. 22 2001 (p. 36)
THE VISITOR CENTRE
image shows: Visitor Centre; Serves as Park’s Main Entrance; (Footbridge from Car Parking) materials used: Fabric Roof; Steel Frame; Retaining Walls; Timber
image source: The Architects’ Journal, v. 213, Feb. 22 2001 (p. 37)
THE CORE
image shows: The Core; (Primary Educational & Learning Facilities)
materials used: Photovoltaic Solar Cells; Copper Roof; Timber; Recycled Newsprint image source: The Architectural Review, v. 1305, Nov. 2005 (p. 68)
SITE | Entrance & Approach
image shows: Fabric-Covered Visitor Centre [foreground]; Biomes & Quarry [background] image source: Grimshaw
THE BIOMES | Site Edges & Context
THE BIOMES | Aerial View
THE BIOMES | Interior Gardens
image shows: Steel Hex Biome Structure; ETFE Foil; Hex-’Pillows’; Quarry Edge
Project
THE EDEN PROJECT Architect
NICHOLAS GRIMSHAW & PARTNERS Location
CORNWALL, UNITED KINGDOM Site History
RURAL | RECLAIMED KAOLINITE QUARRY [66m-deep BODELVA CHINA CLAY PIT] Client
TIM SMIT & JONATHAN BALL Dates
Year Initiated : 1995 / 1996
Year Completion : VARIES (2000 - 2005) Eden Phases
PHASE 1 – VISITORS CENTRE (2000)
PHASE 2 – BIOMES AND BIOME LINK BLDG (2001)
PHASE 3 – EDEN FOUNDATION / EDEN INSTITUTE BLDG (2003) PHASE 4 – THE CORE / EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE (2005) PHASE 5 : ‘THE EDGE’ DESERT BIOME (planning phase / pending) Size
23,000 SQ M | 247,480 SQ FT | 15 HECTARES [450m end-to-end] Primary Materials
GALVANIZED STEEL HEX-TRI-HEX SPACEFRAME
ETFE THERMOPLASTIC FOIL (ETHYLENE TETRA FLUORO ETHYLENE) RECONSTRUCTED SOIL & GLOBALLY DIVERSE VEGETATION
Data [Area, Weight, Dimensions, Total # Plants & Species] PLAN AREA : 22,000m²
SURFACE AREA : 30,000m²
WEIGHT STEEL FRAME : 667 tonnes WEIGHT AIR ENCLOSED : 536 tonnes
STEEL TUBE DIMENSIONS : 193 mm diameter
LARGEST BIOME DIMENSIONS : 55m high | 240m long | 110m wide LARGEST HEXAGONAL ‘PILLOW’ : 75m² | 2m deep
LARGEST HEXAGONAL PLANE : 11m span
TOTAL # PLANTS & SPECIES : over 100,000 plants ; over 5,000 species Structural Engineer
ANTHONY HUNT ASSOCIATES Services Engineer
ARUP
Cost Consultant
DAVIS LANGDON & EVEREST Main Contractor
MCALPINE JOINT VENTURE Landscape Architect LAND USE CONSULTANTS Project Budget
£57 - £75 MILLION GBP
[approx. $100 - $150 MILLION AUD] [Initial Grant - 1995 : £25,000] [Recent Grant - 2006 : £360,000] Workforce
CURRENTLY EMPLOYS : 500+
EMPLOYMENT DATA : 95% Local ; 75% Previously Unemployed PROJECTED EDEN PROJECT EMPLOYMENT : 700+
PROJECTED CORNWALL EMPLOYMENT (due to project) : 1700+ Average # Visitors
2 MILLION / YEAR (approx.) 3,500+ / DAY
Climate [Cornwall, UK]
ANNUAL AVG. HIGH : 13.8°C (57°F) ANNUAL AVG. LOW : 9.3°C (49°F)
ANNUAL PRECIPITATION : 844 mm (33.23”) SUNSHINE HOURS : 1,805
AVG. PRECIPITATION DAYS : 200 Population [Cornwall, UK]
514,000 (approx. 144 people per sq. km.) M+E Subcontractor
COLSTON
Steelwork Contractor
MERO UK (Biomes); SNASHALLS (Visitor Centre); PRING & ST HILL (Link)
image shows: Event Stage [left]; Humid ‘Tropics’ Biome [back]; Warm ‘Temperate’ Biome [front right]; South-facing Slope; Terraces; Kaolinite Clay Pit; Circulation & Outdoor (Mediterranean) Gardens image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Project
THE EDEN PROJECT
|
Grimshaw
C O R N W A L L • U N I T E D K I N G D O M
CONTEXT MAP |
Site Access
map source: Google Maps diagram overlay: Joshua F. Haddad
LONDON
CORNWALL
Cornwall Approximately 5-hour Drive from London
[281 miles / 452 kilometers]
image shows: Main Access Road (Bodelva Road); Eden Project (A); Park Entrance (B); Circulation & Parking; Rural / Agrarian Context [Farmland] map source: Google Maps
AERIAL MAP |
Site Circulation & Rural Context [Farmland]
image shows: Former Kaolinite Quarry / China Clay Pit image source: howstuffworks.com
image shows: The Visitor Centre / Main Entrance [bottom left]; Outdoor Arena [center left]; Biomes; The Core [bottom right]; Gardens & Circulation image source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/conservationists/eden.htm
SITE HISTORY
AERIAL PHOTO |
Biomes, Outdoor Gardens & Circulation
Admission Cost Adults £16.00 Seniors £11.00 Students £8.00 Children £6.00 Families £39.00
Humid ‘Tropics’ Biome (1) Warm ‘Temperate’ Biome (2) Outdoor Garden Biome (3) The Stage
[outdoor events & performances]
The Core
[educational centre, café, sculpture, & research labs]
The Link
[shops, café, restaurant, entrance to Biomes]
The Arena The West Side
The Visitor Centre
[main entrance, information, café]
Parking
plan source: The Architectural Review, v. 1305, Nov. 2005 (p. 70) diagram overlay: Joshua F. Haddad
The Core
section shows central sculpture
section source: The Architectural Review, v. 1305, Nov. 2005 (p. 70)
SECTIONS
Humid ‘Tropics’ Biome (1)
Humid ‘Tropics’ Biome (1)
section source: Grimshaw
section source: Grimshaw
section source: The Architects’ Journal, N. 7, V. 213, 22 Feb. 2001 (p. 32)
The Link Warm ‘Temperate’ Biome (2) Avg. Temp. 24°C Avg. Humidity 90% Avg. Temp. 24°C Avg. Humidity 90%
Min. Temp. 9°C [winter] Max. Temp. 25°C [summer] ‘South’-facing
Terraced Slope [max. sunlight]
WARM ‘TEMPERATE’ BIOME (2)
JOSHUA F. HADDAD | 392498 | Environmental Design | Project Analysis | Tutor Fiona McLean
THE EDEN PROJECT
|
Grimshaw
C O R N W A L L • U N I T E D K I N G D O M
SITE PLAN |
Circulation & Program
image shows: Interior View of Warm ‘Temperate’ Biome (Greenhouse) materials: ETFE Thermoplastic; Steel Hex Structure; Vegetation & Reconstructed Soils image source: howstuffworks.com
image shows: Map of Vegetation & Plant Types
image source: The Eden Project (website) image shows: The Outdoor Gardens & Installationimage source: Wikipedia (Eden Project website) image shows: Steel Hex-Frameimage source: Wikipedia (Eden Project website) image shows: Biome Installation & Scale
image source: howstuffworks.com (Eden Project website)
Built on the South-Facing Slope of a reclaimed clay pit, these climate controlled biomes gain maximum solar exposure. In addition, the innovative ETFE (EthylTetraFluorEthylene) foil - only 1% the weight of glass - actually transmits more UV Light into the greenhouses, allowing them to store more heat. They hold plants from all across the globe.
The natural terracing of the site allowed designers to create a ‘theatre’ inside. The Steel hex spaceframe has no vertical supports in the center, allowing a maximum footprint for the interior landscaping and bio-diversity. The Link between the two biomes serves as the main entrance, offering shopping, dining, and facilities; this “Link” is constructed of rammed earth walls and a greenroof (to blend into the surrounding landscape).
image source: The Architects’ Journal, N. 7, V. 213, 22 Feb. 2001 (pp. 32 - 33) text overlay: Joshua F. Haddad
HUMID ‘TROPICS’ BIOME (1)
THE LINK
Made of rammed earth walls & a greenroof, The Link holds shops, a café, a restaurant, and serves as the main entrance to the Biomes. The ‘Tropics’ Biome is the largest biome,
with over 1,000 different species of plants. The temperature ranges from 18°C to 35°C (average 24°C); and maintains a
90% humidity.
THE BIOMES
image source: howstuffworks.com
JOSHUA F. HADDAD | 392498 | Environmental Design | Project Analysis | Tutor Fiona McLean
THE EDEN PROJECT
|
Grimshaw
C O R N W A L L • U N I T E D K I N G D O M
SOLAR CELLS & VENTILATION
image shows: ‘The Core’ [foreground] - showing Solar Cells & Natural Ventilation; Biomes image source: The Architectural Review, v. 1305, November 2005 (p. 69).
Vents open at the top of the biomes. In addition, the innovative triple layer of ETFE Foils inflate or deflate to regulate the internal temperature. Constructed in hexagonal pieces, they resist wear and staining - and are designed to last about
25 years, when replacement technology is predicted to improve.
image shows: Steel Hex Biome Structure; ETFE Foil; Hex-’Pillows’; Natural Ventilation image source: Grimshaw text overlay: Joshua F. Haddad
STRUCTURE & CLADDING
image shows: Night View; Steel Hex Frame image source: Grimshaw
MATERIALS
According to Grimshaw, all materials connected to the Eden Project have ‘traceable sources’. In addition, the project utilizes recycled materials and paper products. The galvanized steel spaceframe and ETFE thermoplastic foil (much lighter than glass) are designed with enormous efficiency - weighing little more than the air contained within the biomes. In addition, regenerated soil & compost add value to a highly decimated site.
WIND & VENTILATION
The greenhouses require highly regulated climate, temperature & humidity in order to mimic ecologically distinct biomes. However, natural ventilation is still utilized to maintain airflow and allow cooling. Openable triangular windows and side-vents are used on the hexagonal biomes. A triple-layer of thermoplastic foil also allows individual hexagonal ‘pillows’ to inflate & deflate - regulating internal temperatures. In addition, ‘The Core’ and ‘The Link’ both can be naturally ventilated - though temperatures are typically regulated.
RADIANT SOLAR ENERGY & LIGHTING As plants are heavily reliant on the sun for growth, lighting was clearly important for the design of the greenhouses and outdoor gardens. The site chosen is on a South-facing slope (climatically advantageous in Cornwall, UK). The ETFE plastic also transmits more light than traditional glass, providing plants more solar exposure, and heating the soil and air to regulate temperatures at night. Solar cells were installed on ‘The Core’ building to provide ‘most’ of the energy required for daily use.
STRUCTURE & CLADDING
The triple layer steel spaceframe is made up of transportable hexagonal, pentagonal, and triangle shells, mimicking Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes. The innovative use of plastic ETFE to replace glass (only 1% the weight) allows the structure to span unsupported vertically - opening up a huge volume for planting and bio-diversity. Complex modeling programs were also utilized to design for a ‘constantly changing’ terrain (as this was formerly an active clay quarry) - customizing the sizes and dimensions for each hexagonal ‘pillow’. The pieces were able to be constructed separately in modules, and are designed to last about 25 years as technologies and available materials improve. In addition, ‘The Link’ building is made up of rammed earth walls and a greenroof - making it easier to regulate temperature and control internal climate.
MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL SERVICES Working with Colston (M + E Services), the Eden Project actually runs almost entirely on ‘green credit’ energy. ‘Most’ of the energy required for ‘The Core’ building is provided by rooftop solar cells. In addition, energy generated by a nearby windmill farm within the region ensures that much of the energy for the buildings is ‘green’. Lighting and air-handling, as mentioned, are highly regulated - both done almost entirely naturally - via Solar Lighting & Radiant Energy. WATER & HYDROLOGY
According to Grimshaw, almost all of the water required for this massive project is actually collected and generated on site. Because of the topography and hydrology of the land - a large clay pit - water collection occurs naturally. Because flooding was a huge problem during construction, the design of sumps and recycled water was quickly incorporated into the design. Now, all of the recycled grey water is filtered and used for toilets, irrigation, and plumbing. The core and other structures also have drainage built into the design, making the reuse of water for planting and people a highly efficient feature of the project.
STRUCTURAL DETAILS
image source: The Architects’ Journal, N. 7, V. 213, 22 Feb. 2001 (pp. 38 - 39)
STEEL-FRAME CONSTRUCTION
image(s) source: ‘Garten Eden’ : MERO GmbH & Co.
NATURAL VENTILATION
image shows: Biome Natural Ventilation (openable vents to cool space) image source: Eco Structures (pp. 54 – 55)
image shows: Biomes Under Construction ; Steel Hex Structure; ETFE Foil; Hex-’Pillows’ image source: howstuffworks.com
image shows: Steel Hex Frame & Human Scale image source: howstuffworks.com
JOSHUA F. HADDAD | 392498 | Environmental Design | Project Analysis | Tutor Fiona McLean
THE EDEN PROJECT
|
Grimshaw
C O R N W A L L • U N I T E D K I N G D O M
image description: Biomes & Link; showing Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro image source: Wikipedia (The Eden Project website)
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Eden Project is an ambitious, high profile ecological entertainment and educational facility; made up of outdoor gardens and two giant enclosed steel & thermoplastic multi-hexagonal-domed greenhouses mimicking the climate and plants of tropical and temperate rainforests. Built in the spirit of Buckminster Fuller – and picking up on a long tradition of enclosed botanic gardens (Kew; Biosphere 2; Montreal Biodome; Heligan) – the Biomes hold an enormous array of bio-diversity, and currently rank as the largest enclosed greenhouses in the world. Constructed on a former Kaolinite quarry (clay-pit), the project has won countless awards for its ecological improvements: restoring and reclaiming a degraded landscape; utilizing ‘green’ energy from solar cells and local windmills; active and passive energy systems; recycling grey water run-off for irrigation and drainage; use of efficient, recycled, and locally ‘traceable’ materials; reconstructing soils; utilizing rammed earth walls and a greenroof (on the Biome Link); and educating the public about the environment, ecology, and land-use. Containing plants from all across the globe (Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North & South America), the Eden Project promotes itself as both a learning facility and a popular tourist attraction – offering entertainment events, libraries, recreation, shops, restaurants, cafés, and horticultural research facilities for visitors and scientists alike. The design process utilized sophisticated 3-D modeling and innovative materials – including hexagonal steel framing and lightweight ETFE foil (only 1% the weight of traditional glass) – allowing for wide unsupported spans (ideal for large plants and open space). Additionally, principles of natural geometries and organic structures have informed buildings like ‘The Core’ – resulting in architecture which has become highly iconic and famously profiled (even being featured as a backdrop in movies like James Bond).
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Clearly a vast improvement over the ravaged conditions of the original site – it’s obvious that anything would be better than what was there – a degraded clay quarry – making any cursory assessment of the project positive. The Eden Project’s emphasis on ecology and learning, as well as its use of solar energy, windmill farms, passive lighting, natural ventilation, recycled materials, intelligent structure, efficient water-use, diverse vegetation, and careful siting also buttress this design as a remarkable example of ecologically-savvy architecture. However, a closer read of the project suggests that it is also a highly touristic and commercialized enterprise – a business of epic proportions, similar to any theme park – suggesting that it is likely taxing local resources, increasing traffic, crowding highways, wasting space for parking, draining tax-dollars, and eroding an agrarian/rural landscape. It’s use of introduced vegetation and exotic plant life – while increasing bio-diversity – also opens up the possibility of potentially destructive invasive species. A recent request for an extended grant for a third Desert Biome (‘The Edge’) didn’t receive funding, suggesting that popular opinion or support for the project may be waning. And of course, it all feels a bit ‘Disney’ – over-hyped; over-capitalized; and over-awarded. But the fact that this project is so high profile and entertainment focused also likely ensures its economic sustainability – a certain requisite for such an ambitious and large-scale project to survive. In that sense, it is hard to find fault with the way this project has been conceived, implemented, and maintained – and may in fact stand as wise role-model for environmentally informed and popularly sustainable design for years to come. In spite of its commercialized aspects, it does seem the Eden Project has made genuine effort to improve the conditions of place: providing lots of opportunities for local jobs & employment; connecting with learning and youth-oriented ecological education; locating ‘traceable’ materials; and even sharing much of its information and technologies with design communities and the general public. All in all, it seems the Eden Project has proven highly worthwhile, and it is difficult to find fault with the results, or to propose a better solution than what has already been conceived and successfully tested.
REFERENCES
The architecture of Eden. Hugh Pearman
& Andrew Whalley. London : Grimshaw, 2003.
Eco Structures : Forms of Sustainable Architecture. Antonino Terranova, Gianpaola
Spirito, Sabrina Leone & Leone Spita. Italy : White Star Publishers, 2009 (pp. 48 – 57).
Architects’ Journal, Number 7, Volume 213,
22 February 2001. Author: Isabel Allen. Article: ‘A Taste of Eden’ (pp. 30 – 39). ‘Garten Eden : The structural making of the Eden Domes’. Klaus Knebel, Jaime Sanchez-Alvarez & Stefan Zimmermann.
Spacefeeling, Germany : MERO GmbH & Co,
2001.
The Architectural Review, v. 1305, November
2005. Article: ‘East of Eden’ (pp. 68 – 71).
WEB REFERENCES http://www.edenproject.com/ http://www.grimshaw-architects.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Project http://www.merouk.co.uk/structures/ 2000eden.htm h t t p : / / s c i e n c e . h o w s t u f f w o r k s . c o m / conservationists/eden.htm http://www.mero-tsk.de/uploads/tx_ cwtcartoongallery/Eden_Project_english.pdf
image description: Person Scaling The Biomes; showing Scale, Resilience, & Enormity of Hexagonal ‘Pillows’ image source: Grimshaw
SCALE OF BIOMES
THE CORE - ROOFTOP
THE CORE - PLAN
THE CORE - INTERIOR
above images (3): show ‘The Core’ design - based on natural plant geometry image source: The Architectural Review, v. 1305, November 2005 (p. 68 - 71).
