In collaboration with Donald Insall Associates, Howells are working to deliver the £13.8 million ‘Growing Our Green Heritage’ project – a transformative masterplan for Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The proposals are designed to protect and reveal the historic assets, increase accessibility, enhance fabric performance ensuring future resilience and ensuring the needs of the living collections.
Dating back to 1829, the J.C. Loudon-designed Grade II* registered garden spans 15 acres and features four Grade II* listed glasshouses. The project scope includes the development of a Conservation Management Plan for the site, as well as conservation and restoration of a number of historic buildings, including the four Victorian glasshouses, the smoke tower, exhibition and function space, and the original Gate Lodge. The project, funded with National Lottery Heritage support, aims to improve the visitor experience and facilities by removing layers of previous alterations, while respecting the historical integrity of the site.
Sandeep Shambi, partner at Howells, said: “We are delighted to have submitted plans for the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is one of the last independent botanical gardens in the UK and so it’s vitally important that this important heritage asset is conserved but also given space to develop.”
Matthew Vaughan, Practice Director, Donald Insall Associates, said: “The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a landmark not just for their historic buildings but their living collection of rare species from across the globe. Conservation of the glasshouses to respond to these particular heritage considerations will be a key challenge, protecting the historic fabric while enhancing their performance for the needs of the collection within. We look forward realising our client’s vision for enhancing the sustainability, accessibility and heritage of the Botanical Gardens for the people of Birmingham and beyond.”