Spaceplates Greenhouse
South Bristol Skills Academy
The Spaceplates Greenhouse by Danish artists/architects n55 and Anne Romme has been developed through discussion with horticultural staff at the South Bristol Skills Academy, the new City of Bristol College campus at Hengrove Park. The staff and students will use the greenhouse during their practical lessons. The landscaping around the greenhouse will be developed and delivered by staff and students at the college.
The design of the greenhouse originates from the ‘pure plate’ structure occurring in nature (for example sea urchins) which is based on a hexagonal geometry. Pure plate structure is an elegant way of creating doubly-curved forms. Unlike in the lattice structures frequently used in contemporary architecture, in pure plate structure the structural system and the cladding is one and the same thing. The geometrical and structural characteristics of pure plate allow for extremely economical and simple building systems at any scale.
The greenhouse has been constructed using an innovative system of connections in aluminium and polycarbonate. Inside, it accommodates workspace, growing space and teaching space. The greenhouse structure was installed in December 2011; the college hopes students will be using the greenhouse by May 2012.
Working on behalf of Ginkgo Projects, Suzanne has project managed the implementation of the project, including artist contracting, appointment of subcontractors, and ongoing liaison with the College.