The Eden Project

We had a day in what most be one of the most interesting initiatives I have come across. Once an abandoned chine clay quarry and destroyed piece of land, the Eden Project completely reimagined the space into a massive educational centre that uses exhibits, events, workshops and educational programmes to remind people of our dependence on, and connection to, the natural world. With over a million visitors a year (and about 7,500 on the day we went), the project has somehow managed to promote sustainability awareness in a respectful way that attracts people from across the world to visit.

The designs of the buildings are inspired by nature and use designs to maximise ecosystem services and passive thermoregulation. The main domes are shaped like daisy flower heads with bee hive hexagons, and this building was shaped like something too though now I cant remember. What do you think it looks like?

The first walk through the centre down to the main domes takes you through ancient plants gardens, and explains some of the history of the world and the origins of fossil fuels.

"Please dont jump on the rocks or soil, moss is quitely trying to grow. Thank you." What is great about the project is that it promotes a postive and respectful engagement with the living world - without the apocolypse stories.

Whoever you are, its all about having fun.

Drying lavender with some creative ideas for people to take home with them.

Inside the Mediterranean Biome. (My camera totally steamed up in the hot Tropical Biome, sorry - no photos, but it was really cool!).

A section on South African fynbos, including a creative way of talking about fynbos' dependence on fire.

Some cool seating :)

A small scale mist collector.

A variety of crops on display, including Sorghum. For many people, it is the first time for them to see the real plants behind the food we eat, from cocoa to cola.

The place is huge and by 11h00 is already packed with visitors.

"Please do not feed the birds"

Around the food court seating area is a massive moon shaped food garden.

"Good planets are hard to find"

A counter made from old doors, very cool.

Subtle messages woven into different spaces across the grounds.

Cool posters packed with great info.

An amazing green wall with succulents.

Messages for a better future: recycled or reused, locally produced, prodcts with a low carbon footprint, great for increasing biodiversity,  traditionally crafted, locally sourced and water conscious.

Echinicea.

The bird's nest, a simple but effective jungle gym.

Its fun to think about how both can be possible at the same time.

I couldnt resist a chocolate and beetroot cake... it was good!

"draw your favourite food".... sure there were scones and fajitas but I would love to know what "Mum's cream squash" must taste like to be someone's favourite.

The shop had some nice stuff in too.

An amazing exhibition space.

A wall of old fridge doors for leaving messages.

A really great initiative of the Eden Project: Real Cool Futures - to inspire young people to think about careers in sustainability. They share stories from young people from different sectors, from organic farmers to green designers.