The Start of a new Sustainable Era in cladding and Roofing Systems
The Eden Project, located in Cornwall UK, is a one-of-a-kind project that set the tone for the next generation of sustainable botanical projects. This project stands today as the world’s largest captive rainforest. Home to jungles and waterfalls with cutting-edge architectural feats and garden displays. That is to say, Eden was made possible through the use of Texlon® ETFE roofing and cladding systems. ETFE was necessary in order to create perfect environmental conditions.
Smart Solutions for Sustainable Climate Control and Ecological Requirements
The Eden Project was designed by Sir Nicolas Grimshaw & Partners. The vision was to create a space that would be an environmental sanctuary. To build domes that would serve and foster varying independent ecosystems. Hence, the client was looking for smart solutions to acclimatization requirements. Consequently, there was an extensive need to create and manipulate climate and lighting in order to meet the required conditions. This was made possible through the use of Texlon® ETFE, due to its UV-transparent qualities and the unique ability to manipulate ETFE foil thickness and patterns.
The Eden Project and Texlon® ETFE
This project consists of 30,000 m² of Texlon® ETFE cladding mounted on a steel structure. Built above 80-meter-deep abandoned clay pits, The Eden Project was designed with the intent to repurpose the land. Transforming it into innovative tropical forests and Mediterranean biomes. These would serve as a point of reference and source of ecological education.
It is the largest self-supportive transparent structure in the world. The biomes consist of 625 hexagons, 16 pentagons, and 190 triangles. Individual panels span up to 80 m² in area. Most importantly, as the lighter alternative to glass, ETFE made a significant impact on supporting structure weight. Therefore, as little as 667 tons of steelwork was needed to support the structure. Furthermore, over 230 panels are precisely placed and controlled to allow for operable and efficient ventilation. The Texlon® ETFE UV-transparent properties allow for natural plant growth while remaining a sustainable building.
Information
| Date | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Location | Cornwall, United Kingdom |
| Sector | Botanic/Zoo |
| Size | 30,000 m² |
| Structure | Steel |
| Type | Roof |
| Architects | Sir Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners |
Image copyright (left to right, top to bottom): ©Hufton Crow, ©Vector Foiltec, ©Vector Foiltec, ©Hufton Crow
Creating Spaces and Experiences with Texlon® ETFE
More than just a garden, The Eden Project stands as a monumental representation of human ingenuity and our relationship with nature. Serving as a unique and avant garde source of education and knowledge regarding the environment and sustainability. Texlon® ETFE enables the creation of innovative and unorthodox spaces that provide unique experiences in terms of light control, climate control, acoustic control and environmental sustainability to those that visit.
Why Vector Foiltec?
Moreover, beyond our world market leader status, Vector Foiltec has experience in being able to meet our clients with smart solutions to complicated problems. Vector Foiltec is an expert in small and large-scale products with design and engineering competence in ETFE and its respective structures. Most importantly, with our worldwide presence, Vector Foiltec provides full in-house services. As a result, we offer Design, Engineering, Fabrication, Installation and Maintenance of all ETFE systems. The only one-stop-shop with the expertise and experience to meet all your ETFE needs.
Let us support your project, contact us here for ETFE system solutions.