Mandatory Credit: Photo by View Pictures/REX/Shutterstock (2004597a) The Collections Housed In The Natural History Museum Are Among The World's Most Extensive And Treasured. In Order To Adequately Preserve, Maintain And Represent This Collection, A Structure Suitable In Both Its Expression And Physical Construction Was Necessary. The Cocoon Does This By Creating An Icon, Which Represents Preservation, Protection And Nature. It Is Constructed Of 300mm Thick Walls, With A Defined Geometric Form Based On Mathematical Equations. The Surface Finish Is Ivory-coloured Polished Plaster, Resembling A Silk Cocoon, In Which A Series Of Expansion Joints Wrap Around, Resembling Silk Threads. The Second Phase Of The Darwin Centre Is Intended To Manage The Difference In Scale, Architectural Approach And To Create A Physical Link Between The Original Landmark Alfred Waterhouse Museum Building And The More Contemporary Addition Of The First Phase Of The Darwin Centre. Darwin Centre, London, United Kingdom. Architect: C. F. Moller Architects, 2009. View of west elevation taking in the west wing of the Waterhouse building.
