Kew Gardens Shafran Learning Centre

About the Shafran Learning Centre

The Shafran Learning Centre will welcome learners of all ages, including early years, school pupils, young people, teachers, adults, and community groups, reflecting Kew’s Manifesto for Change and its commitment to inspiring the next generation.

Equipped with state-of-the-art education labs, lecture theatre, and learning spaces, the Shafran Learning Centre will provide a dedicated space for learning and professional development. Over the next five years, Kew aims to train 3,600 teachers, ensuring the reach of our educational mission extends far beyond the Gardens.

The Centre will serve as a hub for holiday science clubs for young children and families, workshops for community groups, and events. The expanded facilities will also allow us to broaden our current Short Course offerings in horticulture, botanical art, needlework, and photography.

The Shafran Learning Centre is expected to open in October 2026.

Four people stand in a construction site, two in hi vis vests, one holding a shovel, one woman gesturing — Breaking ground on Shafran Learning Centre © RBG Kew

Computer render from a high angle looking down at a modern building surrounded by trees, lawns and paved pathways — Shafran Learning Centre entrance plaza © Hazel McCormack Young LLP

Net-zero and cutting-edge

The Centre will be Kew’s first net-zero educational building and set a new precedent for eco-friendly educational spaces.

It will be constructed to Passivhaus standards, one of the world’s leading low-energy building design benchmarks.

Made from a Cross Laminated Timber frame - which continues to lock in carbon - and charred finish Accoya weatherboarding, the roofs will feature a mixture of green and standing seams to harvest rainwater for flushing toilets and irrigation. This cutting-edge facility will support Kew’s sustainability goals while providing a dynamic environment for learning.

Construction is being led by Kew’s Capital Projects Team.

Computer render of an open garden path sweeping up to a low modern building — Shafran Learning Centre Early Years Garden © Hazel McCormack Young LLP

Computer render from a high angle looking down at three white conical tents, trees and a modern building with skylights in its roof — Shafran Learning Centre Early Years Garden © Hazel McCormack Young LLP

Computer render from a high angle looking down at three white conical tents, trees, lawns, garden beds, and a modern building with skylights in an angled roof — Shafran Learning Centre Early Years Garden © Hazel McCormack Young LLP

Computer render of a wide paved path fringed with trees, leading to the doorway of a light-coloured modern building — Shafran Learning Centre entrance plaza © Hazel McCormack Young LLP

Computer render of a concrete pathway leading up to a modern building with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew written on one wall — Shafran Learning Centre entrance plaza © Hazel McCormack Young LLP

Thank you, from Kew

The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew are delighted to be naming the Shafran Learning Centre to recognise the generosity of Jake and Hélène Marie Shafran, and their support of Kew’s education and engagement work.

The Board would like to thank the following for their generous support of the Shafran Learning Centre:

Jake and Hélène Marie Shafran
Kusuma Trust UK
The Foundation and Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The estate of Gweslan Lloyd
Sarah Fransen
J & R Savery
Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
Steve and Claire Almond
The estate of Barbara Rowe
Swire Charitable Trust
Schneider Electric
The Winslow Family
All other donors including those who have chosen to remain anonymous.

Kew Gardens Shafran Learning Centre

About the Shafran Learning Centre

Net-zero and cutting-edge

Thank you, from Kew

Learning

Short courses

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