The Eco-Rainforest
This project is based on the 'biomimetic' design principle of mimicking natural systems: specifically the way that most of these operate in closed loop cycles in which the waste from one organism becomes the nutrient for another.
The client asked for conceptual ideas for a carbon-neutral botanical visitor attraction on a site in the north of England. Part of the site was being used as a landfill facility so the team proposed redirecting the biodegradable portion of the waste into biodigesters that were set into the walls of the building. The decomposition process would provide a carbon-neutral source of heat for the greenhouse to supplement gains from the passive solar design.
Through the landfill tax system, the scheme would generate substantial revenues thereby transforming a huge problem into an economic opportunity.
Client - Ravenhead Renaissance
Architects - Grimshaw (Jolyon Brewis, Michael Pawlyn)
Environmental Engineers - Buro Happold
Structural Engineers - SKM Antony Hunt
