The Royal Botanic Garden, established in 1670 as a physic garden, is now a world renowned centre for plant science, research and education.
LocationEdinburgh
ArchitectEdward Cullinan Architects
ClientRoyal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Project TypeCommercial
CollectionsMass Timber
Structural EngineerBuro Happold
Structural Timber EngineerDonaldson & McConnell
Main ContractorXircon
Joinery ContractorElmwood
Wood SupplierKLH UK Ltd
Product InfoHelical staircase, reception desk and bar
Timber SpeciesEuropean whitewood, Spruce, Larch, Douglas fir, Ash, Elm, Sycamore
Timber ElementsGlulam beam structure, Cross-laminated plank floor, roof and partitions, External cladding, timber curtain walling-SVL




The Royal Botanic Garden, established in 1670 as a physic garden, is now a worldrenowned centre for plant science, research and education.
To improve facilities for visitors and to encourage their interest in the Garden’s work and the relevance of plants, a new building has been designed by Edward Cullinan Architects to house exhibitions, a media studio, indoor and outdoor education spaces, offices, a shop, restaurant and a new biodiversity garden.
The Gateway acts as a threshold to one of the world’s most important botanical institutions and aims to capture the spirit and enthusiasm of that organisation. As part of the brief, it is designed to be an outstanding example of green construction and sustainability.