Grimshaw partners with Eden Project for pavilion at COP26
Grimshaw has partnered with The Eden Project to create a special pavilion at the COP 26 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
Located in the Blue Zone in the Scottish Exhibition Campus, the Eden Project Pavilion has been designed by Grimshaw as a showcase of – and call to arms for – the actions needed to regenerate the planet.
It harnesses the geodesic design reminiscent of the Eden Project biomes in Cornwall, UK, designed by Grimshaw.
The pavilion version and its collapsed panels reflect the planetary crisis to which COP 26 is aiming to find solutions.
It houses a ‘cabinet of climate curiosities’ – objects that represent the urgent transformations required, which in turn have nurtured an ecosystem within the dome: plants climb up and in through the cracks as biodiversity once more returns.
The Pavilion creates a "narrative of hope and positive change", recognising the potential the COP 26 has to heal the planet.
The structure was fabricated and constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine and uses only materials that have been grown, reused or recycled.
While visually creating a metaphor for the planetary emergency, Grimshaw's design is inspired by nature: minimum materials for maximum strength, with the reused plywood structure supporting the abundant planting and exhibit elements.
The recycled and reused materials have been sourced from local construction sites and from the stage used for the outdoor Eden Sessions concerts in Cornwall.
David Harland, CEO, Eden Project International, said: "We're honoured to be part of this hugely important event and hope that visitors to the Eden Project Pavilion will be entertained and enlightened in equal measure.
"We're very proud of what we've achieved, alongside our partners at Grimshaw and Sir Robert McAlpine particularly, and hope that COP26 will mark a new era of global cooperation to tackle the environmental challenges that all of us as Earthlings face."
Andrew Whalley, chair, Grimshaw, added: “The design of the biomes at Eden Project Cornwall was driven by care for our natural habitats and the environment.
"Bringing this design approach to the COP26 conference as part of the Eden Project Pavilion will carry this ethos to delegates and world leaders and highlight the design and construction industry’s role in tackling the climate and biodiversity challenge.”
The concept of the Pavilion has its origins in the Next Generation Design project – a two-day workshop on architecture and engineering led by Scale Rule, a community interest company focused on working with 11-18-year old students.
In 2020, the winning design from the workshop – where teams create sketches, models, and drawings of their proposals – was Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich in London.
Eden Project GrimshawEden Project Qingdao reaches construction milestone
Boris Johnson throws his support behind Eden Project North in Morecambe
FEATURE: World Expo – Expo 2020 Dubai launches
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Across Denmark, a charity is turning industrial buildings into centres for street sport and art. As the concept prepares to go global, we speak to the people making it happen