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Royal Botanic Gardens
Edinburgh:
0131 552 7171 Address: 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5QH
Started on site Sep 2007
New images from Edward Cullinan Architects 170907:

Botanics
Gateway : Edward Cullinan Architects
Visitor Centre to start within weeks following confirmation of £10m
funding from the Scottish Executive. 7 Aug 2007
Botanics Gateway
RBGE - Building PR

Gateway image from RBGE
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland
REVEALS CONCEPT DESIGNS FOR ITS NEW FACILITY
Your Gateway - unlocking plants for people
Concept designs for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburghs [RBGE]
new visitor Gateway were given a preview today. The designs developed
over the last 10 months by senior staff at the RBGE in partnership with
Edward Cullinan Architects, give a projected idea of plans for a new visitor
Gateway at the West Gate entrance to the Garden.

Gateway image from RBGE
A national treasure, RBGE is one of the most popular visitor sites in
Scotland and one of the most respected and prestigious scientific organisations
in the world. For some time now, the RBGE has recognised the need to invest
in its visitor facilities as well as build far greater awareness of the
Gardens work. In July 2003, working in partnership with an architectural
consultant, an RBGE team drew together a Europe-wide architect's competition.
Edward Cullinan Architects were the successful competition winners and
were appointed to the Gateway project.
Now reaching an exciting stage in the design process, the RBGE over the
next few months will be looking to involve visitors and local residents
in the process, by holding a public meeting and putting on display a model
of the Gateway that will help to visualise the design concept. We
understand that our visitors have great attachment to the Garden and will
want to be kept informed of the Gateways progress said Dr
Ian Edwards [Director of Public Programmes at the RBGE], The designs
are sympathetic to the Gardens surroundings and minimise the impact
on the landscape as much as possible he continued.
As Professor Stephen Blackmore, RBGEs Regius Keeper, said the Gateway
will provide an avenue to build far greater understanding of the Gardens
work and also the vital role of plants play in our world: The Gateway
will, for the first time give public access to all the treasures of the
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and make it an
all-weather attraction. It will offer an unparalleled insight
into the whole world of plants and their conservation, helping us to retain
and build on our rightful prominence amongst Scotlands most world-renowned
institutions.
Exhibitions and live interpretation will help orientate visitors and enable
them to get the most from their visit. For the first time visitors will
have glimpses at unique treasures held behind the scenes and hear the
experts explain what they do and why it is important. There will also
be opportunities for people of all ages to participate in activities that
reveal the uniqueness of plants and demonstrate what we can do to make
the world a greener place.
The Edinburgh Botanic Gardens Gateway will provide a first class attraction
for everyone visiting the Garden to relax, explore and enjoy the world
of plants and most importantly learn about nature on our planet whatever
the weather.
National Botanic Gardens of Scotland: Building PR May 2004
The estimated cost of the building will be £13m. Edinburgh Botanic Gardens
receives over 700,000 visitors a year and has three Regional Gardens [Benmore
Botanic Garden, Logan Botanic Garden and Dawyck Botanic Garden] which
together with the Garden in Edinburgh, are jointly known as the National
Botanic Gardens of Scotland.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is funded through grant-in-aid from
the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department and is
a registered charity. International Architecture Competition included
Snøhetta, etc.: won by Edward Cullinan Architects Sep 2003: Royal
Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Further info on the Royal Botanic Gardens contact: 0131 552 7171
Scottish
Architecture
Botanic
Gardens : Barcelona
Edinburgh Walking
Tours
Edinburgh : back to index
Botanic
Gardens : Glasgow Garage Site Redevelopment
Previous Edinburgh 'project' by Edward Cullinan Architects: unbuilt
architecture
RBGE: gateway@rbge.org.uk
Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh : Photographs
Plant Houses, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
Property Services Agency (PSA), 1967
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh : www.rbge.org.uk
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