Robert Burns’ Beautiful Green Roofed Museum Now Open

Celebrated Scottish poet and songwriter Robert Burns can now call claim to a new space that celebrates the works of his life. Constructed as a lovely eco building, the <a href="http://burnsmuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank">Robert Burns Birthplace Museum</a>, which opened this fall, is located in the village of Alloway on the outskirts of the town of Ayr. Designed by <a href="http://www.simpsonandbrown.co.uk/news/burnsnews09.html" target="_blank">Simpson &amp; Brown</a> with engineering by <a href="http://www.burohappold.com" target="_blank">Buro Happold</a>, this stunning and sustainable structure is topped with a curvaceous <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/category/green-roof" target="_blank">green roof</a>, is built from local materials and uses a ventilation system that draws cool air from the earth.

The new museum restored the historic birthplace of Robert Burns and added a modern museum to house artifacts.

The museum now houses more than 5,000 artifacts, including original manuscripts from Burns.

The £21 million was designed by Simpson &amp; Brown with the help of the engineers of Buro Happold.

A sweeping green roof tops the new museum.

In total, the museum is comprised of 10 acres in the Alloway countryside and includes gardens, walkways, sculptures and monuments.

A new cafe inside the museum provides relief to visitors.

The locally sourced menu is updated on a daily basis.

Simpson &amp; Brown were also responsible for the renovation of the cottage Burns was born in, which was originally built by Burns' father.

The new museum was built out of local stone and wood.

The sweeping green roof provides insulation and storm water retention for the museum.

A ground source heat pump provides energy efficient heating and cooling.

Earth tubes are used to provide natural and energy efficient ventilation.

The new museum celebrates its official opening in January of 2011.