ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø

Kew Herbarium Library Arts and Archive Wing, Wakefield submitted by Edward Cullinan Architects

Hot on the heels of its work last year at the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, Edward Cullinan Architects has completed a new building for the iconic gardens at Kew. Situated on the banks of the Thames, shrouded by trees and barely perceptible from the street, the new building immediately sets a tone of quiet discretion and scholarly repose that is entirely in keeping with its function and context. As is the use of vertical strips of timber that clad its elevations which give the impression of a giant yet sophisticated tree house marooned in a dense urban forest. Cullinan’s career-long investigation of the juxtaposition of curved and flat planes is in playful evidence here, with a shallow drum, a barrel vault attic and undulating facades all providing organic nuances that help merge the building with its natural surroundings. Crisp brickwork and honed concrete finishes define interior spaces and the building exudes understated assurance and academic tranquillity.

Each day in the lead up to the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Awards ceremony next month, we will profile one of the finalists in the Project of the Year and Public ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Project of the Year. The winners will be announced as the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Awards ceremony taking place on April 7. To book a table at the ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Awards visit the .