University of Sheffield‘s new £4.4 million Arthur Willis Environmental Centre will allow researchers to study future climate scenarios and their effects on local biology, including plants and social insects such as ants and bees. The energy-efficient greenhouse gave Bond Bryan Architects and builders William Birch & Sons Ltd an opportunity for some innovative work. The facility has been built to not only blend seamlessly into the surrounding woodlands and sit upon on WWII rubble infill, but also to allow bees to fly in and out!
With the bees traveling freely between the facility and the outdoors, scientists will be able to study their behavioral patterns as they travel to their nearby hives. The Centre is the new home of researchers studying the biology of plants and social insects in the hope of gaining new understanding of the effects of climate change and potentially improving crop production in developing regions. The greenhouse has 16 different control zones to simulate conditions in different climate zones and future climate scenarios.
Professor Lorraine Maltby, Head of the University´s Department of Animal and Plant Sciences stated: “As well as taking great strides to help solve some of the world´s most pressing environmental concerns, the Centre will also help improve the city´s biodiversity, with plants and beneficial insects being protected in the surrounding woodland.”
It is nice to see that the University is keeping its neighborhood in good shape while tackling problems across the channel and beyond.
+ Bond Bryan Architects
+ University of Sheffield
Via World Architecture News
I think this is a great project, especially when innovation in eco research is desperately needed. Is there anything else out there similar to this project, or focused on eco research? I am interested in teaching my class (I am an elementary school teaacher) about the basics of the environment and how research is related.
I am not familiar with any other research facilities of this type although I’m sure there are some. I would contact the University and ask them. Also do some searches for John Todd and look into him. He does some amazing things including some biosphere projects that I’m sure are studying similar things.
Thanks Trey, I looked into John Todd’s research, and I really like his ideas on alternative technologies. I plan on integrating alternative means of basic lifestyle and the idea of alternative technology into my curriculum. Starting those ideas at a young age will make it more likely that these students will see eco consciousness as the norm. While looking up information on John Todd, I also wanted to see if there were any major educational research projects being proliferated in the media, and ran across an antarctic expedition planned for the fall, being lead by an explorer named Andrew Regan. http://www.transantarcticexpedition.com/education/
What’s really cool about their planned project is they are pioneering new ways to cross the antarctic in a more environmentally friendly way with something called the concept ice vehicle. I really like that they are using alternative means to not only research the area, but to bring educational awareness to the public.
I support secondhandy .. especially in that dressing sieciowkach is pretty boring, except that it is difficult to stand out by wearing clothes “popular” .. I look the same except lumpkow sometimes lesser-known stores
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