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Eden Project International Designs

EPIL to deliver social and ecological benefits across the globe – design by Grimshaw Architects, UK

2 December 2021

Eden Project Qingdao reaches construction milestone

Design: Grimshaw Architects with CCDI

Location: Qingdao, eastern Shandong Province, China

Aerial image of Eden Qingdao:

image courtesy of architects

Eden Project Qingdao, China

A major construction milestone has been achieved at the Eden Project in Qingdao in China as the main arch of the project’s centrepiece Storm Forest Biome is complete.

The single-space biome structure, larger than the interlinked geodesic domes at the Eden Project in Cornwall in the UK, encloses a planted space of over 27,000 square meters. The destination is themed around water, as the life blood of nature, culture and civilisation, and the Storm Forest Biome will showcase the atmospheric water cycle on a grand scale, demonstrating its importance in an immersive environment.

Eden Project Qingdao centrepiece Storm Forest Biome – more images online later today:

Construction on Eden Project Qingdao started in May 2020 and is due to complete in 2023 with the project opening to the public later that year. It will become the first permanent Eden Project outside the UK.

David Harland, Eden Project International Chief Executive, said: “It’s fantastic to see Eden Project Qingdao taking shape. We are hugely grateful for the hard work of the construction team and all of our partners in China. It has been a long journey to get to this point and one in which we have had to overcome various challenges, not least a global pandemic, but hitting this milestone is testament to the talent and dedication of everyone working on this project.

“We’re really excited that the Eden Project’s international ambitions are shaping up so nicely. With our Qingdao project due to open in 2023 and our new UK bases in Morecambe and Dundee set to open the following year, this is a hugely exciting period for Eden.”

Mr Wang Yonggang, General Manager of Qingdao Eden Project, said: “The story of the Eden Project in Cornwall transforming a derelict clay pit into a paradise has attracted me deeply. And now we are writing another story of regenerating alkaline land ecology for Eden Project Qingdao. Apart from that, I am keen to work closely with the Eden Project to bring more to Asian and Chinese audiences. Let’s wait and see!”

Jolyon Brewis, Partner, Grimshaw, said: “Eden Project Qingdao continues Grimshaw’s approach of creating beautiful structures inspired by the efficiency of nature, made unique by the specific requirements of the location and theme. We are delighted to continue our collaboration with the Eden Project; working with our local partners has enabled us to deliver this fantastic new visitor destination which will further the Eden Project’s mission to connect people to the natural world.”

Eden Project Qingdao was the first project announced as part of the Eden Project’s ambition to open new Edens on every inhabited continent. Taking expertise and experience from Eden Project Cornwall, Eden Project and Grimshaw partnered on the design of Eden Project Qingdao. Following the completion of a key design stage in early summer 2020, Grimshaw and its team of international consultants handed over the coordination and documentation responsibility to CCDI, the Local Design Institute (LDI).

Eden Project Qingdao is positioned on Jiaozhou Bay, surrounded by water and defined by rivers and sea. It is situated on a large area of reclaimed and environmentally damaged land originally used for salt production and then prawn breeding and is located on the confluence of two rivers.

In keeping with its location and environment, the project focuses on the ways in which water, whether too much or too little, affects the planet and the populations it supports. Visitors to Eden Project Qingdao will journey through dramatic landscapes of extreme aridity and water abundance, surrounded by theatrical performances and interactive installations. These will explore different aspects of water – from the microscopic life forms in one drop of water to the thunderclaps of a storm cloud.

The project will showcase the regeneration of the site, bringing the land back in touch with its surrounding water. It will communicate the importance of water and the ongoing water challenge in a meaningful and fun way and be a positive and optimistic place for environmental and social change.

The Storm Forest will give visitors to Eden Project Qingdao the opportunity to travel up through the clouds and down over waterfalls on an adventure through bioluminescent caves, around steep mountain paths, down to the rainforest below.

It will be a chance to experience the drama and power of the water cycle in action: of big weather systems and how people and plants survive and thrive in a world of abundant water.

In addition to the Storm Forest, Eden Project Qingdao will also be home to the Extremes Zone, which showcases environments where water is scarce, the Quality Zone, which will use live performance to bring issues of water quality to life, as well as a theatrical arena known as the Mist Theatre and meadows and wetlands surrounding the site.

The first Eden Project-designed content outside Cornwall to open to the public made its debut in Terra, The Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai last month (October). Eden’s Expo work is at the vanguard of an Eden Project international programme that will see new Edens built in Morecambe in Lancashire, Dundee in Scotland, Anglesea in Australia, Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland and Christchurch in New Zealand among others.

Earlier this month (November), Eden announced its ambition to create its first South American project in the Meta region of Colombia as part of its programme of activities at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.

Team Credits

Client: Qingdao Oriental Eden Cultural & Tourism Development Company Limited (青岛东方伊甸园文化旅游开发有限公司)
Eden Project International Limited
Design Architect: Grimshaw Architects
Structural Engineer: schlaich bergermann partner
Environment Consulting: Atelier Ten
Project architect/LDI: CCDI (悉地国际)
Experience Designer: Event
Landscape Designers: LDA Design, L&A (奥雅), Jingge (景格)
Main Contractor: The Third Construction Engineering Company Ltd. of China Construction Second Engineering Bureau (中建二局三)

Previously on e-architect:

4 Feb 2018

Eden Project in China

Historic deal for Eden in China featuring world’s largest indoor waterfall

Agreement signed during PM’s visit to China

The Eden Project took a major step towards establishing its first overseas attraction on February 1 during Prime Minister Theresa May’s trade delegation to China.

David Harland, Eden Project International Limited chief executive, signed an historic agreement with Zhao Lintao of China Jinmao Holdings Limited, Eden’s partners in the landmark new attraction in the coastal city of Qingdao. Zhao Lintao is general manager of Eden Qingdao.

Eden Project International Qingdao building design:

image courtesy of architecture office

The agreement sets out the terms of the future development of the Eden Project in Qingdao, including design, construction and operation of the attraction. The signing ceremony took place at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Beijing.

Eden Qingdao will be themed around water and will feature the world’s largest indoor waterfall, which is set to be more than 50m high – roughly the same height as Niagara Falls on the border between the USA and Canada.

The project is due to cost £150m and will create 80 jobs. Construction is due to begin this year (2018) and the project will open to the public in 2020.

David Harland has been travelling with the Prime Minister, Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox and other UK business leaders as part of the three-day trade delegation to China to promote the Mrs May’s vision for a “global Britain”.

David Harland said: “This is a huge development in the history of the Eden Project and the biggest step we have yet taken towards opening an Eden Project in China.

“We are very excited about the possibilities for this attraction and the city of Qingdao and are very pleased to be working with our friends and colleagues at China Jinmao Holdings Limited.”

The agreement follows the creation in July last year (2017) of Eden Project International Limited (EPIL), a company formed to drive the establishment of Eden Projects around the world. Eden Project Co-founder Sir Tim Smit is executive chairman of EPIL.

EPIL is a new entity formed as part of the Eden Trust to partner with like-minded organisations to deliver the Eden mission and to deliver social and ecological benefits during a time of global environmental decline and social disruption.

The new projects will focus on the big global challenges as defined by their specific localities – such as soil, water, food and biodiversity – and will work in collaboration with a wide variety of organisations, companies, communities, research and conservation groups.

Eden Project International is currently working on four projects in China and others in Australia and New Zealand. Other overseas projects, including some in the Middle East and North America, are due to be announced in the coming months.

Eden is working on the China, Australia and New Zealand projects with Grimshaw Architects, who designed the world-famous Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes at the Eden Project.

Among Eden’s proposed projects in China is one in the historic city of Yan’an, famed for being the end of Chairman Mao’s Long March and north of the Xian, home of the terracotta warriors.

This project will explore the theme of land and soil and its importance for life on earth. The project will showcase ecological restoration as a vital tool for the future and restore a degraded site just outside the city into a fertile valley full of flowers, agriculture, craft and education.

Eden has announced that it will undertake pre-planning and early feasibility consultancy work for a project in Jizhou (near the city of Tianjin) in a former limestone mine with the ultimate aim of regenerating the landscape and surrounding area.

Eden is also working on a project based at Sheng Lu Vineyard in Beijing. The aim is to create a place to reconnect with nature. Education and training programmes will run from here, offering the chance for children and adults to play in natural environment.

Eden Project International Limited chief executive David Harland (right) signs an agreement with Zhao Lintao (left), general manager of the Eden Qingdao with Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox at the British Ambassador’s residence in Beijing:

image courtesy of architects

Eden has been asked to provide support in turning the vineyard into a profitable and educational visitor attraction as well as supporting education and offering horticultural and landscaping advice.

The Eden Project is due to welcome its 20 millionth visitor during 2018 and, since opening in March 2001, has generated £1.7bn for the regional economy.

For more information, see www.edenproject.com

7 Sep 2017

Eden Project International Expansion in China

First of the Eden Project Visitor Centres in China

Design is helping to create the first of the Eden Project’s visitor centres in China.

The Eden Project is embarking on developing visitor centres in the US, China and Tasmania. The UK education and environmental charity is planning three for China. Grimshaw Architects and the creative consultancy LDA Design have been appointed to create the first of these – a new ecological park near the port city of Qingdao on China’s east coast.

Water sets the framework for Qingdao, and LDA Design and their ecology team will help to create wetlands, freshwater and salt lakes, swales, reed beds, rain gardens and beaches. One of the Eden Project’s key messages is that the world is ours to make better. The ecological park will harness Eden’s capacity, proved in Cornwall, to surprise and delight, at the same time as providing an understanding of water purification and how we can go about water protection and conservation.

The new park, which is being developed by Jinmao Holdings Limited, is situated on reclaimed land where two rivers meet. The site will draw on China’s 4,000-year-old relationship with the environment as well as the Eden Project’s ecological principles.

“We are thrilled to be part of the design team developing China’s first Eden Project, enabling people to explore and understand what water means for life on earth,” said LDA Design’s Neil Mattinson, Senior Board Director. “This is a truly amazing part of the world and our aim is to create an unforgettable, rich experience where lasting memories are made at the water’s edge. We hope it will be a place where people return time and again.”

Since opening in 2001, over 19 million people have visited the Eden Project in Cornwall to discover more about plant life. Built on a former clay pit, the centre – which has become one of the UK’s top visitor attractions – features the world’s largest ‘rainforest in captivity’. It is estimated to have boosted the local economy by £1.7 billion.

LDA Design

24 Jul 2017

Eden Project International Expansion

Eden Project launches new international company to create Edens across the globe

The Eden Project announced today (July 24, 2017) that it is launching a new company to drive the establishment of Edens around the world.

Eden Project International Ltd (EPIL) is a new entity formed as part of the Eden Trust to partner with like-minded organisations to deliver the Eden mission and to deliver social and ecological benefits during a time of global environmental decline and social disruption. The new projects will focus on the big global challenges as defined by their specific localities (e.g. soil, water, food, biodiversity) and will work in collaboration with a wide variety of organisations, companies, communities, research and conservation groups.

At the helm of the new company are Co-Founder of the Eden Project Sir Tim Smit, who has been appointed Executive Chairman of EPIL, and Eden Project Executive Director David Harland, who has taken up the role of Chief Executive of the international company.

The ambition of the new wing of the Eden Project is to advance the Eden mission by establishing collaborative Eden projects with international partners across the globe. It will also undertake consultancy services for new and existing projects in a range of areas.

Sir Tim said today: “Eden’s mission is to explore our dependence on the natural world, to use that understanding to excite people into delivering transformation where they live and to ask really serious questions about what a great future might look like for all of us.

“We want the new Edens to act as a heartbeat for those who feel the same way as we do and to develop in all of them the ability to tell the stories that inspire the people who are their constituency.”

Sir Tim added: “We need to green the desert of our mind, we need to fertilise our imagination and we need to believe that the future remains ours to make.”

The launch of the new company comes after four successive years of consistently healthy trading by the Eden Project, which first opened in a disused china clay quarry near St Austell in Cornwall in 2001.

Its latest accounts, for 2016/17, showed a cash surplus from trading of more than £1.6 million. Turnover and visitor numbers have also increased significantly.

During 2016, four per cent more people than the previous year visited Eden and numbers in December were the best ever for that month. For the first time since 2011, Eden welcomed more than one million visitors in a 12-month period.

In its first 16 years, Eden has attracted more than 19 million visitors and generated £1.7 billion for the regional economy.

The new international team will also be responsible for delivering a number of projects in the UK.

Chief Executive of Eden Project International David Harland said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for the Eden Project as we seek to work with new audiences across the globe with our vision for a global network of Eden Projects. New professional jobs will be created both in Cornwall and abroad with Eden in Cornwall acting as our research and development hub for new ideas and innovations.”

Eden Project International Yan’an building design:

Eden Project International

Eden Project International is currently working on three projects in China and others in Australia and New Zealand. Other overseas projects, including some in the Middle East and North America, are due to be announced in the coming months.

Grimshaw Partner Jolyon Brewis said: “We are delighted to support Eden Project International Ltd on a number of ventures around the world. Grimshaw’s relationship with Eden Project spans over 20 years and we are proud to help bring Eden’s ethos to new audiences through unique architecture, landscapes and immersive content; all delivered with characteristic joy.”

China

Eden Qingdao will explore the theme of water and its importance for life on earth.

The project is still on the drawing board, with construction due to begin later this year.

As with similar projects it will link with other Eden Project centres around the world, sharing content and programmes. This will be an Eden Project for China but with a global relevancy.

The second major project in China is in the historic city of Yan’an, famed for being the end of Chairman Mao’s Long March and north of the Xian, home of the terracotta warriors.

A feasibility report is complete and Eden Project International is now ready to present its plans.

Like Eden Qingdao, It will link with other Edens around the world, sharing content and programmes.

The third Eden project in China is based at Sheng Lu Vineyard in Beijing. The aim is to create a place to reconnect with nature. Education and training programmes will run from here, offering the chance for children and adults to play in natural environment.

Eden Project England:

image from FD

Australia

Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, approached Eden as the corporation is looking to regenerate an environmentally-damaged piece of land (15 hectares) around the port area. MPDC contacted Eden as they were seeking a flagship/anchor for the mixed-use development.

Hobart itself is a rapidly developing city with an alternative side which has been brought to the fore by the Museum of Old & New Art (MONA).

This project fits with Eden’s ethos as it will transform a polluted, discarded site, as well as ensuring the Eden message can reach a new audience.

Eden Project’s Rainforest Aerial Walkway in England:

photo from The Eden Project

New Zealand

In Christchurch, Eden is working with a local trust to develop plans for a social enterprise and attraction in an area of the earthquake-damaged Red Zone. Here Eden will explore stories of nature and culture and will include restoration of native ecology along the iconic River Avon shoreline. There will be benefits for the community and tourism with the aim of boosting visitors to the city again.

The project is currently in the early stages of concept development.

Eden Project International images / information from Eden Project on 240717