London’s Energy-Efficient Jodrell Laboratory Houses the World’s Largest Fungi Collection

Designed by <a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://www.wilkinsoneyre.com/" target="_blank">Wilkinson Eyre</a>, the <a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/garden-attractions-A-Z/jodrell-laboratory.htm" target="_blank">Jodrell Laboratory</a> extension is a fantastic energy-efficient architectural gem wrapped in a glass and timber shell. Inside, the lab's 6,561 square foot extension incorporates a mycology herbarium storage, a library, laboratories and plenty of office space. Located at the green and gorgeous <a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://www.kew.org/index.htm" target="_blank">Kew Gardens</a> in London, the building was designed for research, but also protects the world's largest fungi collection!

The Jodrell Laboratory extension, dubbed 'The Wolfson Wing', achieved a <a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://www.breeam.org/" target="_blank">BREEAM</a> 'Excellent' mark and was designed to be <a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://inhabitat.com/london%E2%80%99s-first-certified-passivehaus-saves-up-to-90-of-energy-bills/" target="_blank">energy-efficient</a> and sustainable in many aspects.

Among the most distinctive features of the building is the inclined timber <a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-sebrae-hq-harnesses-passive-design-to-its-cool-in-brazil/" target="_blank">brise-soleil</a> on the south and west facades, which along with the double skin shell reduce solar intrusion and heat gain. Natural light at the <a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://www.kew.org/science/directory/teams/Mycology/" target="_blank">Mycology</a> library comes in through a long and narrow skylight, maintaining the fungi at the right conditions, while keeping the energy usage to a minimum.

To maximize daylight and natural cross-ventilation, the offices were designed with various sizes and different height windows that could be left open or closed according to the changing weather.

Exposed internal concrete surfaces reduce the internal temperature and <a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://www.builddeskonline.com/sw56126.asp" target="_blank">U-values</a> of the building during the warmest days of the year, while cooling the building at night as the heat is released.

 Low energy high frequency luminaires brightens the Centre for Economic Botany -- a world-class plant and fungi lab and research site.

Out in the gardens, a gorgeous aquatic garden full of floating<a title="Energy Efficient Jodrell Laboratory at London's Kew Gardens is BREEAM 'Excellent' and Keeps the World's Largest Fungi Collection" href="http://inhabitat.com/floating-water-lily-islands-would-delight-tourists-and-soak-up-solar-rays/" target="_blank"> water-lilies</a> is the perfect landmark for a fantastic building that has provided the resources needed to develop anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties from plants.