Once into the attraction, there is a meandering path with views of the two biomes and of interesting planted landscapes (including, for example, colourful patterned areas which upon inspection prove to be vegetable gardens) and sculpture s, such as a giant bee and towering robot -themed creature created from old electrical appliances.

The steel and plastic biomes

Panoramic view of the geodesic domes at Eden Project

At the bottom are the two covered Biomes. The larger, the Humid Tropics Biome, is for tropical plants, such as fruiting banana trees, coffee, rubber and giant bamboo , and is kept at a tropical temperature. The smaller of the two, the Warm Temperate Biome, houses familiar warm temperate and arid plants such as olives and grape vines and various pieces of sculpture. The Outdoor Biome represents the temperate regions of the world with plants such as tea, lavender, hops and hemp. A third covered Biome representing the Dry Tropics is planned for the future.

The biomes are constructed from a tubular steel frame with mostly hexagonal transparent panels (there are a few pentagonal ones) made from a complex plastic known as ETFE (it was decided very early on that glass was out of the question, being too heavy and potentially dangerous). The "panes" of the biome are created from a triple layer of thin UV -transparent ETFE film , inflated to create a large space between the two sides and trapping heat like double-glazed windows. The plastic is resistant to most stains, which simply wipe off in the rain, although if required, cleaning is performed by abseilers . Although the plastic is prone to punctures, these can be fixed with ETFE tape. The structure is completely self-supporting, with no internal supports, and takes the form of a geodesic structure. The panels vary in size up to 9 m across, with the largest at the top of the structure.

Environmental issues

Inside the tropical Biome

Known medicinal uses for the plants are listed alongside them. Part of the Eden Project is serious environmental and educational study, aiming to safeguard our planet and prevent mankind destroying benefits provided by nature by showcasing the interdependence of plants and people. Large displays and "hands on" attractions aim to be both fun and educational, with new developments such as the Eden Education Centre proving to be a place to have fun, yet learn important things about our planet and our survival.

The Eden Project is an extremely environmentally aware project. There are many attractions and information signs on Global Warming and why plants are so important to our way of life (shown in a rather controversial and entertaining animation displaying what our world would be like without plant life). The Eden Project recycles as much as possible, with all litter areas split into five or more compartments for plastic, food, paper and other general waste, which is all recycled. The massive amounts of water required to create the humid conditions of the Tropical Biome, as well as to serve the toilet facilities, are all sanitized rain water that would otherwise collect at the bottom of the quarry. In fact the only mains water used is for hand washing and for cooking. They have Green Tariff Electricity – the energy comes from one of the many wind turbines in Cornwall, which were amongst the first in Europe .

The "Eden Shop" also boasts a huge array of recycled waste, such as pencils made of plastic vending machine cups, and mouse mats made of old tyres or circuit boards, as well as "grow your own" kits.

In 2006 Eden announced that it was introducing mobile ticketing in order to save on paper and printing. Visitors can text a number and are sent a picture text of their ticket in return, which can be scanned at special gates [ 1 ] . Additionally, UK taxpayers who agree to gift aid when buying their entrance ticket are offered a free annual membership.

Mr. Smit states that if the project becomes, or is merely seen to be, a theme park , then it has failed.

Recent events

Literature

Media

See also

External links

<Botanical gardens in the United Kingdom>
<Building engineering>
<Buildings and structures in Cornwall>
<Environmental design>
<Gardens in Cornwall>
<Sustainability>
<Visitor attractions in Cornwall>
<Ecological experiments>