Botanical Garden Hothouse

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This gridshell uses minimum material in the construction of both the structure and the cladding. Using ETFE fabric for the skin has facilitated an extremely lightweight supporting structure and the shape has been designed to optimise the environmental requirements to accommodate the tropical plants with minimal mechanical plant.  The 18m high elliptical dome is leaning towards the north in order to maximise the area of south surfaces in order to catch the low winter sun whilst minimising exposure to the high summer sun.

Judge's comment:

The judges were initially charmed by the snail shaped hothouse complex, but their interest in this project grew when looking at the construction of the structure. The importance placed on sharing ideas and insights amongst the design community was applauded and the overall structure was deemed to be of the highest standard.