Wolfgang Buttress’ multi-sensory celebration of bees will open to the public this Saturday (18 June) in London’s Kew Gardens.

The Hive is a pavilion inspired by scientific research into the health of bees and their role in pollinating crops essential to human survival.

The 17m (55.7ft) high, 40 tonne aluminium structure takes visitors on an experiential journey through the life of a bee colony, from an outside meadow into the hive itself, while orchestral buzzes fill the air. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 LED lights change in intensity to relay information triggered by vibration sensors in a real bee hive.

The pavilion was one of the most popular attractions at the six-month long 2015 Milan Expo, where it represented the UK. The Hive’s 169,300 individual components were carefully dismantled after the event for it to be rebuilt on home soil by contractor Stage One.

Architects BDP and engineers Simmonds Studio were also involved in the journey to bring The Hive to Kew.

Speaking in January, Lord Gardiner of Kimble, a spokesperson for the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Pollinators like bees and other insects are integral to our natural environment, and play a vital role in our food industry.

“The Hive is an extraordinary structure, which symbolises how the UK champions the protection of bees and nature. I am delighted to see it make a return to the UK at Kew, where it will continue to amaze the public and raise awareness of how vital pollination is.”