The Edge

The Edge represents the next evolution of Eden. It has its roots in our original ambition to have a Biome that focuses on the desert regions of the world. But, in the six years since opening Eden, our vision has evolved, as has the network of organisations and communities we have worked with. The context for the new building will be the oncoming water crisis, the challenges in the supply of energy, and the impacts of these change to our climate. But it is not a building about climate change; it is a building because of climate change.

Want to see what it's going to be about? Come and look over the Edge.

It will look back to understand how people coped with change in the past: the great social transformations. It will look sideways at the people and plants who live on the Edge today… and the ingenious solutions they have come up with. And it will look forward to explore how people are facing up to the issues of today and tomorrow; what skills, ingenuity and ambition we need in order to make creative and workable responses to difficult but not impossible circumstances.

The architecture.

The building will be a landmark construction in the tradition that Eden has established – a beautiful and dynamic blend of architecture, technology, science and the arts. The operational technology and systems will demonstrate options for energy supply, water conservation and waste management that will act as models of how we all might live in the next decades. Its scale and setting within a yet-to-be reclaimed part of the Bodelva pit will be a new icon of regeneration, showing that mankind is capable of amazing things, including leaving the world better than we found it.

What happens now?

In September 2006 The Edge joined five other major projects in the UK on the short-list for the Big Lottery Fund's £50m Living Landmarks award. Applications have to be submitted by the various projects by the end of end of May and a decision on the final shortlist of projects to go through to the public vote will be made by the big Lottery Fund Committee in October (2007).   Ultimately the winning project will be decided by a public vote during next winter.   We may need your vote – so please keep an eye on the website or the press for details of how to support us!

To summarise…

‘ The Edge, a building, an environment and an experience that focuses on two major themes; what does living within limits mean and what can we learn from looking at a past that has shaped us psychologically to become the most adaptive species of all. Can we meet the challenges ahead? If so what might the future look like?'

Tim Smit, CEO Eden Project