The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has today submitted a planning application to undertake a landmark renovation of its iconic Palm House and Waterlily House in London, UK.
The proposed renovation aims to create the first heritage net-zero glasshouses of their kind, conserving the two London buildings while reimagining their design for a more sustainable future.
Both the Palm House and Waterlily House are currently showing serious signs of deterioration, having last undergone a renovation in the 1980s. Without urgent work, the listed buildings and tropical plants they protect are at risk of being lost forever, according to Kew.
Heritage
Constructed between 1844 and 1848 using techniques borrowed from the shipbuilding industry, the Palm House represented cutting-edge technology and thinking for the era. A companion building to the Palm House, the Waterlily House opened in 1852 and was purpose-built to showcase Victoria amazonica – the world’s largest waterlily.
Kew’s aspiration is to bring these heritage landmarks into the 21st century through pioneering sustainable engineering. This renovation, with an ambition to achieve net zero, marks a significant new chapter in its storied history.
Having previously transitioned from coal to oil and then to gas, this will be the first time that renewable options can feasibly be used to power the Palm House, creating a carbon-neutral Victorian glasshouse that will protect the 1,300 plants housed within.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew director Richard Deverell says: “This is a pivotal moment in the history of Kew. With sustainability at the core of our mission, this project exemplifies our commitment to safeguarding both the environment and cultural heritage. The transformation of the Palm House and Waterlily House into net-zero icons will not only protect irreplaceable plants but serve as a beacon of what sustainable heritage can achieve.”
Ambitious plans
The redevelopment is being led by the Kew Capital Projects Team, who, combined with Hugh Broughton Architects and Cundall engineers, have undertaken years of rigorous testing to strike the difficult balance between energy efficiency and the specific needs of the tropical plants housed within.
Key features of the design include:
• Replacement of 16,500 glass panes with high-performance sealed glazing
• Use of bespoke silicone gaskets to reduce heat loss
• Move to a fully electrified air and water source heat pump system
• Maximised rainwater storage and irrigation system upgrade
• Sensitive conservation of original materials and finishes
• Restoration of Sir William Nesfield’s original ornamental garden layout
• Improved access to make the space fully inclusive
The relocation and propagation of plant specimens by Kew’s expert horticulturists has already begun, safeguarding plants from some of the most threatened environments in the world. Though the project is not expected to start until 2027, and will last four to five years, visitors to the Palm House can already see specialist work re-potting, air-layering and relocating plants to ensure the survival of over 1,000 plant species housed within.
Two cutting-edge glasshouses, one permanent and one temporary, have been built for the cultivation of tropical plants, each using advanced systems to control the temperature, humidity and light management more sustainably.
Head of glasshouse collections at Kew, Tom Pickering, explains: “At the heart of this project is the need to protect the extraordinary plant collections housed in the Palm House and Waterlily House.
“Besides being beautiful, many have cultural, scientific and conservation value, and replacing these collections is unimaginable. Achieving net zero in these historic buildings is an unprecedented task; it’s a complex challenge which must consider the interplay of horticulture, climatic control, engineering, and architecture.”
Hugh Broughton of Hugh Broughton Architects adds: “The Palm House and Waterlily House at Kew Gardens are instantly recognisable icons of Victorian innovation. This exciting project will help conserve and decarbonise these inspiring glasshouses, making them more accessible to a wider audience.
“The design elegantly reflects Kew’s ambitious Climate Positive 2030 strategy, reminding us of the fragility of the rainforests and our role in their protection.”
This project, which is expected to cost around £60 million, will safeguard the Palm House for future generations and realise the ambition of making the Palm House and Waterlily House the first net-zero glasshouses of their kind. More information on how to support the project can be found on Kew’s website.
Cover photo: Ines Stuart-Davidson, Board of Trustees, RBG Kew
