Commissioned to design a new glasshouse and gardens for the historic grounds of Woolbeding Gardens in West Sussex, we began our research by exploring the client’s interest in flora from the ancient Silk Route and its far-reaching influence on English gardens. We discovered a rich planting narrative that could inform both the glasshouse as well as the surrounding outdoor gardens.

Our concept takes the form of a kinetic ‘opening’ glasshouse featuring structural sepals that can open and close to provide natural ventilation whilst maximizing sunlight exposure for the plants inside as well as providing a heated environment when the sepals are closed.

The garden aims to offer an educational journey, showcasing plants in a geographical sequence of their origin from Europe to Asia. The glasshouse is the final region, accommodating subtropical plant species that make use of the environmental protection that the glasshouse offers.