Eden Project
Cornwall, UK
A visitor attraction of giant greenhouse biomes – engineered for the high daylight and UV transmission plants need to thrive in a warm, humid environment.
About the project
The Eden Project in Cornwall, England, is the world's largest indoor rainforest and a global icon of ecological regeneration and sustainable architecture. Opened in 2001, the project transformed a completely barren, depleted china clay quarry into a thriving, living plant theater.
Standing at over 55 meters tall, this humid biome houses over 1,000 tropical plant species, including cacao, rubber, and bananas. It also features a stunning aerial Canopy Walkway.
Key drivers & challenges
Daylight + UV for plants:
For greenhouse biomes like those at the Eden Project, ETFE helps create the light-rich conditions plants need to thrive. Its high light transmission – including UV – supports healthy growth while maintaining a bright, immersive visitor experience.
Weight + safety vs glass:
Eden’s envelope avoided glass due to weight and potential hazards. ETFE cushions provide a much lighter alternative for large-span enclosures.
Thermal performance via air cushions:
By trapping air between multiple ETFE layers, the cushion build-up provides insulation – a major operational driver for maintaining stable biome climates with lower heat loss than a single-skin enclosure.
Humid, dirty, real-world operation:
In warm, humid greenhouse conditions, ETFE’s low-adhesion surface helps shed dirt and organic residue, reducing the maintenance burden through repeated condensation cycles and day-to-day operation.
Printing
Even when daylight is desirable, solar radiation can overheat interiors — especially under large, high-transmission roofs.
- Solar control without losing the “bright greenhouse” quality: Industry sources describe fritting as a way to reduce solar transmittance / solar gain while still maintaining a luminous interior.
- Daylight diffusion: Print patterns are commonly used to reduce glare and create more even light distribution (especially helpful for comfort and for avoiding hot spots).
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with your ideas
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