Latest
issue
GET SPA BUSINESS
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital editions of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines and the FREE weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window I've already subscribed.
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
The Hive to celebrate the life of bees at new Kew Gardens home
POSTED 29 Jan 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The Hive won the BIE Gold Award for Architecture and Landscape at the 2015 Milan Expo Credit: Wolfgang Buttress
The Hive – Wolfgang Buttress’ award-winning multi-sensory pavilion – is to be given a new home within London’s Kew Gardens.

The structure was the centrepiece of the UK’s entry at the six-month long 2015 Milan Expo, where it attracted more than 3.3m visitors and was awarded the BIE Gold Award for Architecture and Landscape.

It will be displayed at Kew – a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing 132 hectares of landscaped gardens – from June 2016.

The 17m (55.7ft) high, 40 tonne aluminium structure was inspired by British scientific research into the health of bees and their role in pollinating crops essential to human survival.

Visitors are taken on an experiential journey through the life of a bee colony, from an outside orchard and wildflower meadow into the hive itself, while orchestral buzzes and pulses fill the air.

More than 1,000 LED lights are illuminated within The Hive, changing in sound and light intensity to relay information triggered by vibration sensors in a real beehive.

The pavilion was created in collaboration with architects BDP, engineers Simmonds Studio and constructors Stage One, who built the structure from 115,000 individual components.

“We are truly delighted to announce The Hive’s move to Kew, both for its magnificent aesthetic appeal and for the resonance it has with our work – I can think of no better home for this remarkable marriage of architecture and science,” said Richard Deverell, director of the scientific organisation Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

“The Hive creates a powerful, immersive space for us to explore the urgent issues we face in relation to pollinators, their intimate relationships with plants and their vital role in helping us feed a rapidly growing population. To be able to bring those stories alive here at Kew – a centre of scientific knowledge and expertise and one of the planet’s most biodiverse city landscapes – is a true honour.”

Kew scientists will use The Hive as a platform to share their research into the life of bees and how they can be protected.

"It is fantastic that more of the UK public will have the opportunity to experience The Hive for themselves in the perfect setting at Kew,” said Lord Maude, the UK’s minister of state for trade and investment.

“The Milan Expo focused on sustainable ways of feeding a growing global population whilst protecting our environment. I cannot think of a better home for it now that the Expo is over.”

The pavilion explores life within a beehive Credit: Wolfgang Buttress
Kew Gardens receives 1.5m visits every year Credit: Daniel Case
PROJECT PROFILE:

Milan Expo 2015
The team behind the upcoming Milan Expo is putting the finishing touches to the world fair before its debut in May. Masterplaned by a team consisting of Jacques Herzog, Mark Rylander, Ricky Burdett, Stefano Boeri, and William McDonough, each pavillion will range from 400sq m (4,305sq ft) to 6,000sq m (64,583 sq ft), with around 50 per cent of the Expo area occupied by pavilions. 35 per cent of the area is dedicated to external space, while 15 per cent comprises a green perimeter around the expo site. In addition, the site will include a large artificial lake surrounded by 20 pavilions representing each of the Italian regions, a 12,000-seat amphitheatre and a 6,000 seat auditorium. Pavilion design: Azerbaijan - Simmetrico Network Slovenia - SoNo Arhitekti Israel - Knafo Klimor-Design Czech Republic - Chybik + Kristof Spain - b720 US - Biber Architects Vietnam - Vo Trong Nghai China - Daniel Libeskind/Studio Link-Arc Italy - Nemesi & Partners Austria - team.breathe.austria UK - Wolfgang Buttress Thailand - The Office of Bangkok Architects (OBA) Iran - Naqsh,E,Jahan-Pars (NJP) UAE - Foster + Partners

Location: Italy

RELATED STORIES
  UK pavilion The Hive wins gold at Milan Expo awards


One of the top architecture prizes at the 2015 Milan Expo has been awarded to the Hive; the UK pavilion created by artist Wolfgang Buttress, engineers Simmonds Studio and architects BDP.
  TEA SATE Academy Day coming to Milan Expo in September


The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is holding another of its SATE (Storytelling, Architecture, Technology, Experience) Academy Days in September, this time hosted at the 2015 Milan Expo.
  FEATURE: Milan Expo 2015: Milan Expo 2015


It’s has its share of problems, but the Milan Expo is now in full swing. Magali Robathan and Alice Davis take a look around and speak to some of the designers
  Buttress and BDP's Hive pavilion generates buzz ahead of Milan Expo


Exploring the crucial role of a bee colony in the global ecosystem, artist Wolfgang Buttress and architects BDP have created a hive structure to serve as the centrepiece of the UK’s pavilion at the upcoming Milan Expo.
MORE NEWS
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
HCM Invest opens applications for pitching slots
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.
Synergy – The Retreat Show invites consumer and industry perspectives on retreats for research
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry perspectives.
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Elemis launches its first Red Light Mask, lighting the way to advanced skin health and restoration
Elemis has branched into LED skincare with the launch of its breakthrough Red Light Mask. [more...]

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
TAC | The Assistant Company

Founded in 2001, TAC is an owner-managed company with more than 110 employees and four locations: in [more...]
Trybe

Trybe was founded back in 2020, and the past five years has seen Trybe become the fastest growing al [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
The Hive to celebrate the life of bees at new Kew Gardens home
POSTED 29 Jan 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The Hive won the BIE Gold Award for Architecture and Landscape at the 2015 Milan Expo Credit: Wolfgang Buttress
The Hive – Wolfgang Buttress’ award-winning multi-sensory pavilion – is to be given a new home within London’s Kew Gardens.

The structure was the centrepiece of the UK’s entry at the six-month long 2015 Milan Expo, where it attracted more than 3.3m visitors and was awarded the BIE Gold Award for Architecture and Landscape.

It will be displayed at Kew – a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing 132 hectares of landscaped gardens – from June 2016.

The 17m (55.7ft) high, 40 tonne aluminium structure was inspired by British scientific research into the health of bees and their role in pollinating crops essential to human survival.

Visitors are taken on an experiential journey through the life of a bee colony, from an outside orchard and wildflower meadow into the hive itself, while orchestral buzzes and pulses fill the air.

More than 1,000 LED lights are illuminated within The Hive, changing in sound and light intensity to relay information triggered by vibration sensors in a real beehive.

The pavilion was created in collaboration with architects BDP, engineers Simmonds Studio and constructors Stage One, who built the structure from 115,000 individual components.

“We are truly delighted to announce The Hive’s move to Kew, both for its magnificent aesthetic appeal and for the resonance it has with our work – I can think of no better home for this remarkable marriage of architecture and science,” said Richard Deverell, director of the scientific organisation Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

“The Hive creates a powerful, immersive space for us to explore the urgent issues we face in relation to pollinators, their intimate relationships with plants and their vital role in helping us feed a rapidly growing population. To be able to bring those stories alive here at Kew – a centre of scientific knowledge and expertise and one of the planet’s most biodiverse city landscapes – is a true honour.”

Kew scientists will use The Hive as a platform to share their research into the life of bees and how they can be protected.

"It is fantastic that more of the UK public will have the opportunity to experience The Hive for themselves in the perfect setting at Kew,” said Lord Maude, the UK’s minister of state for trade and investment.

“The Milan Expo focused on sustainable ways of feeding a growing global population whilst protecting our environment. I cannot think of a better home for it now that the Expo is over.”

The pavilion explores life within a beehive Credit: Wolfgang Buttress
Kew Gardens receives 1.5m visits every year Credit: Daniel Case
RELATED STORIES
UK pavilion The Hive wins gold at Milan Expo awards


One of the top architecture prizes at the 2015 Milan Expo has been awarded to the Hive; the UK pavilion created by artist Wolfgang Buttress, engineers Simmonds Studio and architects BDP.
TEA SATE Academy Day coming to Milan Expo in September


The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is holding another of its SATE (Storytelling, Architecture, Technology, Experience) Academy Days in September, this time hosted at the 2015 Milan Expo.
FEATURE: Milan Expo 2015: Milan Expo 2015


It’s has its share of problems, but the Milan Expo is now in full swing. Magali Robathan and Alice Davis take a look around and speak to some of the designers
Buttress and BDP's Hive pavilion generates buzz ahead of Milan Expo


Exploring the crucial role of a bee colony in the global ecosystem, artist Wolfgang Buttress and architects BDP have created a hive structure to serve as the centrepiece of the UK’s pavilion at the upcoming Milan Expo.
MORE NEWS
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
HCM Invest opens applications for pitching slots
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.
Synergy – The Retreat Show invites consumer and industry perspectives on retreats for research
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry perspectives.
Turkey is crowned the best massage nation at world championship
Turkey came first at this year’s World Championship in Massage between 3-5 July in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Wellness Tourism Association publishes industry framework for ethical and responsible retreats
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Elemis launches its first Red Light Mask, lighting the way to advanced skin health and restoration
Elemis has branched into LED skincare with the launch of its breakthrough Red Light Mask. [more...]

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
TAC | The Assistant Company

Founded in 2001, TAC is an owner-managed company with more than 110 employees and four locations: in [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS