The cathedral-like central hall of london 's natural history museum boasts a towering arched ceiling ribbed with exposed iron beams and adorned with hundreds of hand-painted tiles depicting plants and animals .
The building 's " revival style " exterior , featuring tall , arched windows on three street facades and fine terra cotta detailing , has been fully restored .
The arched building is essentially one large vault spanning 20 metres , covered on the outside with earth and plants to help it blend in with its rural surroundings
这栋拱形建筑实质上像一个巨大的墓穴,横跨20米,在外面覆盖了泥土和植物以便融入乡村环境。
New floors added within the building 's massive volume accommodate continuing growth , with mezzanines preserving the arched windows on the north and east elevations and providing gallery and exhibit space for use by the firm and the larger community .