This striking, unfolding glasshouse provides the focal point of the National Trust Woolbeding Gardens and stands as a reminder of how much the ancient Silk Route influenced English gardens of today. The glasshouse features ten steel ‘sepals’ with glass and aluminium façade which take four minutes to open, creating an immense 141m2 space in the shape of a crown.
Designed in 2015, the glasshouse draws inspiration from the spirit of Victorian ornamental terrariums. It deploys cutting-edge engineering to provide a functional protective structure while at the same time offering a beguiling, decorative element the garden.
Heatherwick Studio has won more than 100 international awards for design excellence, including the Prix Versailles and the RIBA National Awards. The London based studio, consisting of 200 problem solvers, dedicated to creating innovative buildings, spaces, master-plans, objects and infrastructure.