THE BORNEO RAINFOREST Client:  Rainforest Ventures Ltd

Limbrick Limited were selected by Rainforest Ventures Ltd as the architects for the proposed leisure development at Dragon International Studios near to Bridgend, South Wales and the anchor visitor attraction – The Borneo Rainforest. Limbrick Limited captured the essence of this unique and exciting proposal in their competition winning conceptual design, against stiff opposition from a number of other high profile national and international architects.

The Borneo Rainforest is a superb environmental visitor attraction, based around the Indonesian Archipelago region, offering the exhilaration of a rainforest experience, whilst learning at first hand about its importance to world’s climate and eco systems.

A fundamental aspect of the brief is to employ a genuinely environmental approach to development, through all aspects of design, materials, and use of renewable energy sources, and provide a very public showcase to the successful use of sustainable design and technology principles.

The building clasps onto the existing hillside and is arranged as a series of dramatic transparent segments enclosing the rainforest canopy, which are supported on delicate tensile steel trusses that arch upwards and then cascade downwards to the lake.  The segmented plan form radiates around to the south, maximising the exposure to natural sunlight and creating a dynamic spiral form, evocative of natural shell-like formations.

A new hotel abuts the western edge of the rainforest canopy, with views directly into the rainforest area itself, whilst tiering back to give external roof terraces overlooking the surrounding countryside.   At the fulcrum of the spiral form lies the hotel entrance and conference facilities, which are designed as a circular hub to the overall building, with panoramic views out, as well as into, the rainforest canopy.

To the east side of the rainforest canopy lies the visitor experience entrance and facilities, which are approached via a covered boardwalk around the lake edge.   On entering the dramatic foyer, the visitor has initial enticing views into the rainforest with enthralling and educational displays in the foyer itself and direct access to retail and café facilities.   From here visitors are taken up to the highest point of the rainforest and, on entry, they are met with stunning, elevated views, along with the immediate impact of heat, humidity, sounds, and smells of the rainforest.

The journey through the rainforest will be via a choice of dramatic suspended tree canopy walkways, meandering paths along rocky precipices and gorges, or easier routes for the young, the elderly, and those with disabilities.   The walkway experience eventually returns to the ground floor foyer from where the visitor can peruse the exhibitions areas, enjoying a drink or a meal on the lakeside terrace before continuing the route back to the car park along the lakeside walk.  

The development will also incorporate an offsite tropical plant propagation unit utilising learning impaired young adults – providing meaningful employment and skill training.