National Botanic Garden of Wales
Wales, United Kingdom | 1998-1999
The brief was to provide a landscape that could provide the framework from which the National Botanic Garden could support a collection of endangered plant species from Mediterranean climatic zones. The key to the project’s success was creating a coherent landscape within a building.
As you enter the building, the eye is drawn down into the ravine giving the perception of a landscape parted from the building. The roof then becomes the sky in which the landscape is held. Planting follows a concept unused in other Botanic Gardens; it is based on form, density, and colour rather than plant type or region. Again, coherence is achieved on an experimental and botanical level. Low yellow-greens (3-4m) rise up to more densely planted silver-greens (7-10m) and fall again slightly to darker-greens (7m). The visitor moves from country to country, but always within the atmosphere of an integrated environment.
“This blend of botany, conservation, architecture, sculpture and history can’t be found elsewhere.”
“Gustafson’s masterful treatment of the landscape within takes you on a journey through six Mediterranean type climates.
Each region is in perfect harmony with its neighbour, despite the thousands of miles that separate them in real life.”
Awards
2011 Best British Buildings of the 21st Century / Blueprint Magazine
2001 D&AD Silver Award for Environmental Design & Architecture
2001 H & V News Awards – Environmental Initiative of the Year Awarded to the
2001 Civic Trust Award Silver Award for Outstanding Environmental Design
2001 Concrete Society Award
2000 RIBA Architecture Award
2000 Natural Stone Awards, Stone Federation Great Britain
2000 Building Efficiency Award, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
2000 RICS Building Efficiency Award
2000 Architecture in Wales Eisteddfod - Winner of Gold Medal in Architecture
(Alwyn Lloyd Memorial Medal)