CGI render of what an exhibit inside the BBC Earth Experience might look like. PICTURE: BBC EARTH EXPERIENCE
BBC Earth is building a new exhibition space at Fulham's Empress Place in the Earls Court development.
Clad in a stylish wood, the Daikin Centre will house an immersive experience on wildlife from across the seven continents, entirely narrated by none other than Sir David Attenborough.
The never-before-seen experience will showcase footage and music from BBC Earth's incredibly popular 2019 show Seven Worlds, One Planet.
"It's exciting that the borough will soon be home to such a valuable exhibition space," said Cllr Sharon Holder, H&F Cabinet Member for Public Realm.
"We're committed to protecting and looking after our environment. That's why we declared a climate emergency in 2019 and why we're introducing Clean Air Neighbourhoods. We're able to extend this commitment by providing a home for this important educational space."
Sensory experience
As well as being another voice for climate action, the Daikin Centre will also add to the borough's already broad mix of arts and cultural venues – helping to make H&F the best borough to live, work and socialise in the UK.
The nature videos will be projected onto multiple multi-angle screens using the very latest digital screen technology, creating an all-encompassing, 360-degree exhibition.
Visitors will have the chance to be surrounded by fireflies in North Africa and snub-nosed monkeys in Asia, while watching hungry hamsters fight to keep their food.
The site will also include a gift shop, education rooms, new external planting and landscaping, as well as cycle parking facilities.
Celebrating and educating visitors on environmental sustainability, the site's education centre will be open to visiting school groups, helping to attract the curious, inquisitive, best, and brightest to H&F.
From wildlife experts to the youngest David Attenborough fans, the centre promises to be a space for all.
Book now
The Daikin Centre is expected to open in March 2023. It will occupy the site for two years before being dismantled and moved to a new spot.
Tickets will be on sale from Friday 2 December at 10am. Ranging from £22 per child and £28.50 per adult. More details here on the BBC Earth Experience website.
New life
The BBC Earth building will bring new life to this area of Fulham.
The site was previously home to the Earls Court Exhibition Centre 2 which was demolished in 2015 and which is now part of the wider Earl's Court and West Kensington Opportunity Area.
In 2019, H&F Council successfully negotiated for the return of two local estates near the Earls Court development – West Kensington and Gibbs Green – thanks to a new partnership with developer Delancey. Previously, these estates had been threatened with demolition for more than a decade.
Last year, the same site was home to temporary structures, including a big top tent and theatre, box office, food and drinks units, amusement rides and outdoor seating for the Underbelly Festival.
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