Concrete sprayed onto an expanded metal mesh was used for the central “cocoon” of the extension. The cocoon houses 17M entomology specimens and 3M botany specimens in 3.3km of cabinets.

The construction method was chosen as it reduced the cost of constructing the 60m-long, 12m-wide and eight storey high amorphous shape.

“We considered steel, precasting concrete offsite and insitu concrete but each steel mullion, precast panel or piece of formwork would have been different as there is no repetition,” said Arup associate director Ed Newman-Sanders.

See, concrete is good for lots more than making pier caps and coping stones!

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