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The Calyx, Royal Botanic Gardens

Cockram Construction / Sydney, Australia

McGregor Coxall in collaboration with PTW Architects and Cockram Constructions were the selected winners for this prestigious design competition for a new world class botanic display centre located in Sydney’s historic Royal Botanic Gardens. The landmark project features a giant interior living green wall for horticultural display inside a glasshouse with a research and education centre. The landscape foregrounds the Calyx as a jewel in the gardens commanding an elevated position to create a sense of arrival.

Two leading radial paths provide a powerful visual and physical connection between the new built form and the wider gardens. The structural array is composed around a central ‘Iris’ podium which offers flexibility for various events. The highly adaptable central podium features a water mirror pond for quiet contemplation that can be covered for use as event floor space or adapted for horticultural displays.

Year

2016

Site Area

.59 ha

Services

  • Competition
  • Landscape Master Plan
  • Sports Grounds
  • Water Sensitive Urban Design [WSUD]

Collaborators

  • Cockram Constructions
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
  • PTW Architects
Black and white portrait of Ann Deng, a woman with short dark hair smiling at the camera. She is wearing a short-sleeved, fluffy light-colored sweater and a delicate necklace with a small pendant. She stands against a plain background.
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Aerial view of the lush, green Royal Botanic Gardens with dense trees, well-maintained pathways, a central glasshouse structure resembling a calyx, and smaller garden sections. The landscape features various plant species and neatly arranged flower beds amidst the greenery.
A spacious park within the Royal Botanic Gardens features a well-maintained green lawn with scattered trees. Several people are relaxing on the grass, some on blankets. In the background, The Calyx, a modern glass-structured pavilion, is situated among more trees under a clear blue sky.
An open green space with a few people standing on pathways surrounded by trees. A modern, white circular building—known as the Calyx at the Royal Botanic Gardens—is visible in the distance with birds flying above. The scene is calm and bathed in soft sunlight.
A conceptual architectural rendering shows two views of a modern building with a central courtyard. The upper view is a cross-section, highlighting the structure's design reminiscent of The Calyx at Royal Botanic Gardens, centered around a lush tree. The lower view depicts people walking around the courtyard with the central tree.
Aerial view of Calyx, a circular, modern building with a glass roof and radial design, nestled within the Royal Botanic Gardens. The structure features multiple levels and an open central atrium with a single tree. Pathways extend outward, connecting the building to its lush surroundings.
A modern glass conservatory with a distinctive white, curved support structure stands in the Royal Botanic Gardens, surrounded by lush green grass and trees. The sky is overcast, casting a soft, diffused light over the serene scene.
The indoor garden resembles a Calyx with various plants like ferns, orchids, and small trees. A vertical wall of lush foliage and vibrant purple leaves forms the backdrop. Natural light filters through large windows, illuminating the space and a small bench in the foreground.
A path winds through the lush Royal Botanic Gardens to a glass-walled building enveloped in greenery. A sign adorned with a colorful flower design reads "The Calyx." Benches and banners line the way, all under a cloudy sky.
Logo of "The Calyx" on a glass building door at the Royal Botanic Gardens, featuring a vibrant, multicolored, abstract flower design. Reflections reveal lush greenery behind.
A spacious indoor garden at Calyx features a vibrant vertical wall of multicolored plants. Various potted flowers and greenery are arranged on tiered platforms. Tables and chairs are scattered around, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere akin to the Royal Botanic Gardens.
A modern glass building with a white framework sits amid lush greenery at the Royal Botanic Gardens. A manicured lawn and a paved path lead to the entrance. Colorful banners are displayed near the walkway, and people stroll nearby under a cloudy sky.
Three people stand near colorful plants in a greenhouse at the Royal Botanic Gardens, with a vibrant living wall full of foliage in the background. One person carries a tray, while the others engage in conversation beside an impressive calyx display.
A modern glass building with white supports stands elegantly in a lush garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens. People stroll nearby, and a golf cart glides along the path. Towering city skyscrapers, including a needle-like tower, rise majestically in the background under a cloudy sky.
Aerial view of Sydney Harbour featuring the iconic Sydney Opera House and lush green Royal Botanic Gardens, including the stunning Calyx. The surrounding cityscape includes tall buildings, with boats visible on the blue waters of the harbour.
A lush indoor garden with tall glass ceilings and walls filled with various plants. Bright sunlight streams through the glass, illuminating the dense greenery and creating a tranquil, tropical atmosphere reminiscent of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The pathway winds through the vibrant foliage, showcasing each calyx in splendid detail.
A circular structure at the Royal Botanic Gardens, known as the Calyx, is illuminated at night with vibrant, multi-colored lights transitioning from blue and purple on the left, to green and yellow in the center, and to orange and red on the right, creating a striking visual effect.

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