The Palm House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a tropical centerpiece for over 175 years, is set to undergo a meaningful green conversion. The iconic glasshouse, home to Kew’s tropical rainforest, will close for five years to become the world’s first net-zero glasshouse.
This £50 million project involves relocating approximately 1,300 plants, including the Encephalartos altensteinii, the world’s oldest potted plant dating back to 1775. These plants, some of which are critically endangered, will be moved to temporary greenhouses while their new accommodations are prepared. Some specimens will be carefully propagated due to their delicate nature.
The historic Grade I-listed Victorian structure will see all 16,000 panes of glass replaced and recycled. Its wrought-iron frame will be restored, repaired, and coated in the original shade of white used when the Palm House opened in 1848.
A major upgrade includes replacing the outdated gas-fired boiler system and leaky pipework with advanced air and water source heat pumps. These changes are part of Kew’s commitment to becoming climate positive by 2030, aiming to reduce energy use by 49% across its 200-hectare site.
tom Pickering, head of glasshouse collections at Kew, emphasized the project’s core goal: protecting the remarkable plant collections.”Achieving net zero in these historic buildings is an unprecedented task,” Pickering stated, highlighting the complex interplay of horticulture, climate control, engineering, and architecture.
The redesigned interior will offer improved accessibility and more seating for visitors to appreciate the rainforest collections. Funding for the project, which has submitted planning permission, will come from central government and the Julia Rausing Trust.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute health, financial, or legal advice.
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