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Kew Gardens Jodrell Building
Levolux helps keep plant species cool at Kew
A new extension to the Jodrell Laboratory at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, required a solar shading solution to protect the world-famous collection of plant and fungi specimens housed inside. Architects Wilkinson Eyre specified Western Red Cedar Timber fins from market leader Levolux to achieve optimum indoor temperatures at the scientific research facility.
The Jodrell Laboratory is a world-renowned centre for laboratory-based research into plant anatomy and cytogenetics. An important strand of the work carried out by scientists is into the use of plant resources for the benefit of humans, such as fighting illnesses like cancer, malaria and diabetes. As one of the country’s key research facilities, Kew’s Jodrell Laboratory required more space as studies into plant and fungal diversity expanded. The Wolfson Wing extension was designed to provide additional laboratories, a mycology herbarium, extended desk space for visiting scientists, improved library facilities, and improved viewing access of the laboratory for the general public.
A brick building with timber cladding, the new extension increases the size of the existing laboratory from 3,000m 2 to 5,200m 2 over three floors. In order to improve the building’s environmental efficiency, and protect it from solar heat gain, Wilkinson Eyre specified a vertically stacked timber fin shading system from Levolux. Manufactured in Western Red Cedar for its all-weather resilience and aesthetic properties, the large timber fins were installed over the Wolfson Wing’s exterior window bays to prevent the sun hitting the glass. Natural light is still filtered into the building, and good outward visibility retained, whilst energy costs associated with air conditioning are reduced.
The Solution
Levolux fitted a vertical stack of both straight and curved fins to each of the 14 bays of the structure. The curved timber louvres were cut at a compound angle, enabling them to follow continuously around the curved line of the building. This ensures clean exterior lines at all times, with the fins sitting on the same angled plane as the straight fins. Within each bay, the 300mm wide timber fins were split vertically into two groups: one containing five fins, the other six. Levolux walk-on Brise Soleil was also installed at the top as well as between the two groups for additional shading and to enable easy access for window cleaning.
Comfortable internal temperatures are now guaranteed with the Levolux timber louvres, complemented by the building’s passive ventilation, ensuring that working conditions within the laboratories and herbarium are fit for purpose.
Wilkinson Eyre Associate Geoff Turner comments that Levolux has created
“the most distinctive feature of the new wing at Kew – the horizontal cedar cladding.” It enables the windows on these elevations “to draw natural light and fresh air into the laboratories and open plan office areas, opening them up to the gardens beyond. Externally, the whole of the south and west facades are shaded by inclined timber brise-soleil louvres, creating a light timber filigree.”
The solar shading solution is also enabling Kew to offer visitors superior internal viewing access by eliminating sun glare from interpretive signage and glass-fronted laboratory facilities, as well as helping the building to sit within its natural surroundings. In opening up its behind-the-scenes activities, the Royal Botanic Gardens will make science more accessible to the public and further establish its reputation as a centre for research and conservation.
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| Architect: | Wilkinson Eyre |
| Products used: | Timber Fins |
| Walk on Brise Soleil |