Eden Synopsis
From the sterile depths of a disused china clay pit in Cornwall has risen one of the most remarkable and ambitious ventures in recent memory. The Eden Projectâ•’s iconic biomes, the worldâ•’s largest conservatories, are the symbol of a living theatre of plants and people, of regeneration and of a pioneering forum for the exploration of possible futures.
Tim Smit and his team working on the restoration of the Lost Gardens of Heligan realized very quickly that plants, even the humble potato, had stories to tell that could fire the imagination. How to tell them? There was no room at Heligan for the ambitious buildings required. Why not build them in one of the many derelict pits that dotted this part of Cornwall? The vision inspired botanists, engineers, architects, artists ╨ and, crucially, financiers both public and private. In March 2001 Eden opened its doors to the world, and over two million visitors have flocked there since.
This is the extraordinary story of the Eden Project, of its conception, design and construction, and of the larger-than-life personalities who made it happen. It is the story of how the hope and energy of many men and women transformed a thrilling idea into a breathtaking reality.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781905811274 |
| Publication date: |
3rd March 2011 |
| Author: |
Tim Smit |
| Publisher: |
Eden Project Books an imprint of Transworld Publishers Ltd |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Primary Genre |
Non-Fiction Books of the Month
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| Recommendations: |
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About Tim Smit
Tim Smit (born 1954) is a Netherlands-born British businessman, famous for his work on the 'Lost Gardens of Heligan' and the Eden Project, both in Cornwall, England.
Born in Scheveningen, he was educated at Cranbrook School, Kent, in England, and studied archaeology and anthropology at Durham. He worked as an archaeologist before taking an unexpected leap into the music business, working as both a song-writer and producer receiving seven platinum and gold discs. Contrary to many reports he was not a 'millionaire record producer'. He had modest success in Europe with an album called 'Midnight Blue - a Project with Louise Tucker'. Other than that, he was jobbing record producer / songwriter / arranger.
In 1987 he moved with his family to Cornwall and became involved with Rob Poole, John Nelson and Heligan. During his time at Heligan, Smit wrote a popular book about the project.
Later he started the Eden Project, near St Austell, an £80 million initiative to build three transparent biomes in an old china clay pit. The biomes contain different eco-climates loosely based on the different climates found throughout the world - tropical jungle, temperate, and desert. Eden professes to educate people about environmental matters and encourages a greater understanding and empathy with these matters. Smit was mainly involved in raising the needed funds; the site design was by Nicholas Grimshaw.
He was awarded the CBE in the 2002 New Years Honours List, and in 2006 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Design degree by the University of the West of England "in recognition of his outstanding achievements in promoting the understanding and practise of the responsible management of the vital relationship between plants, people and resources, which have made a major contribution regionally, nationally and internationally to sustainable development, tourism, architecture and landscape architecture".
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