Kew Gardens has officially broken ground on its new Shafran Learning Centre, a landmark net-zero building set to transform how the world-famous botanical gardens deliver education and sustainability.

Volunteers, families, architects and Kew staff gathered to mark the start of construction for what will be Kew's first dedicated Learning Centre today (22 August).

Kew has begun construction on its first-ever Learning Centre (credit: RBG Kew/Jeff Eden).

Due to open in October 2026, the Centre will provide cutting-edge facilities for learners of all ages, from early years to adults, and will also support remote education through live-streamed lessons on plant and fungal science.

The Shafran Learning Centre will also be Kew's first net-zero educational building, designed to Passivhaus standards, one of the world's most rigorous low-energy benchmarks.

The building will be net-zero (credit: Jerram Falkus).

The building will feature a Cross Laminated Timber frame to lock in carbon, charred finish Accoya weatherboarding, and eco-friendly rooves designed to harvest rainwater for toilets and irrigation.

The Centre will house education labs, lecture theatres and classrooms, offering a dedicated space for school visits, teacher training, family clubs, and community workshops.

The project is set to be completed by October 2026 (credit: RBG Kew/Jeff Eden).

Kew aims to train 3,600 teachers over the next five years, broadening its reach far beyond the Gardens.

New initiatives will include weekend gardening clubs for children, creative writing workshops, family science activities, and expanded short courses in horticulture, botanical art, and garden design.

Kew say the learning centre will 'transform' how it delivers education and sustainability (credit: RBG Kew/Jeff Eden).

Julia Willison, Director of Learning & Participation at Kew, said: "We're excited to welcome people to this amazing building that will offer outstanding educational experiences for all.

"This is Kew's first ever Learning Centre and will signal a step change in how we engage people in learning about plant and fungal science and how we can work towards managing the Earth's resources more sustainably."

An artist render of the Shafran Learning Centre (credit: Jerram Falkus).

The Learning Centre has been named in recognition of the generosity of Jake and Hélène Marie Shafran, alongside support from major donors including the Kusuma Trust, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Swire Charitable Trust, and many individual supporters.

Kew says it is still welcoming donations towards the project. Anyone interested can contact [email protected] or call 020 8332 3246.

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