GLASS DOMES FORM NEW BOTANIC GARDEN

The three vaulted glasshouses that sit at the heart of the concept are designed to accommodate plants that exist in dramatically different climates. One glasshouse will provide the right conditions for arid plant species, while the second will serve for tropical plants. The third will be half-submerged in a lake to accommodate aquatic plants.

"The architectural concept is based on the already existing landscape plan and balances natural landscape, architecture, technological and ecological solutions," claim the architects.

"The choice of materials follows the subject-matter, using natural elements to create the atmosphere."

The botanic garden will also contain a Bonsai museum, which will work to join the trio of domes together. The spiraling display area of the museum will hold stunted and ornamental shrubs that integrate into the park’s sloping landscape.

A visitors building that features a cantilevered viewing platform will extend over the pond below. It will sit at the entrance to the garden and also serve as a botany museum. Ample parking facilities will be added to encourage a bevy of visitors.

Another section of the planned development includes a Research Centre; a series of cubic structures with tree-planted courtyards at their centres. The research Centre will come complete with laboratories, offices, lecture halls and a library.

Though still waiting for planning approval, it is hoped the Taiyuan Botanical Garden will proceed and be completed in 2019.