The Faculty of Biological Sciences at The University of Leeds approached me to provide a conceptual design for an iconic centrepiece linking the original Grade II listed wings of the 1960s building designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon. The faculty required a proof of concept with which they could approach external sponsors. The brief called for a central location to act as a focus point for the Faculty whose individual departments were scattered in separate buildings. The design drew inspiration from recent developments in the understanding of life sciences at the molecular and whole organism level. The scheme linked the wings with a UV permeable atrium to provide an area where large plants and trees could be cultivated and studied. It also provided valuable teaching and learning spaces as well as the requisite admin and back of house areas.