Darwin Centre, Phase Two

The concept for the centerpiece was to create what would appear as a large silk cocoon, to form the inner protective element that houses the museum’s unique collection of 17 million insects and three million plants.

The shape and size was designed to give the visitor a tangible understanding of the volume of the collections contained within, with a regulation of temperature and humidity to protect and preserve the collections from pest infestations. The exposed thermal mass of the continuous sprayed reinforced concrete shell maintains a stable internal environment, and minimises energy loading.

A visitor route up and through the cocoon provides public access to the scientific core of the centre, overlooking the science and collection areas. The concept is for visitors to be able to observe the scientific and research activities without interrupting scientific work in progress. The competition brief was to provide a new science and collections facility for the Natural History Museum, incorporating museum space, an archive and laboratories.