Greenhouses for botanical gardens

What greenhouses for botanical gardens are used for

A single botanical garden may combine several types of glasshouse and pavilion, each with its own operating regime. The architecture and the engineering systems are selected separately for each format.

Collection glasshouses

A collection glasshouse is the part of the collection closed to visitors. It holds valuable species, mother plants, seedlings and introduced plants. What matters most is a stable microclimate, convenience for the scientific staff, working aisles and the ability to isolate zones when handling plant material of uncertain status.

Display glasshouses and pavilions

Display spaces are open to visitors. Here the architecture and the visitor route matter as much as climate control: aesthetics, visitor safety and comfortable conditions for the plant collection all have to work together. These are usually tall spans with a dome or a multi-pitched roof and a carefully planned exhibition route.

Themed zones (tropics, subtropics, succulents, orchids)

A single pavilion may combine several microclimates. Typical zones:

• Tropical: 22–28 °C, humidity 70–90 %, landscaped display and water features
• Subtropical: 16–24 °C, moderate humidity, focused on citrus, camellias and tea
• Arid (succulents, cacti, xerophytes): 20–30 °C during the day, low humidity, sandy substrates
• Orchid house: controlled humidity of 60–80 %, diffused light, screening systems
• Palm house: a tall span for large specimens, with higher snow and wind load requirements

Each zone is set up as a separate climate loop with its own automation and shading screens.

Winter gardens and demonstration spaces

A winter garden at a botanical garden or a university is a compact demonstration space for lectures, guided tours and a permanent display. The layout is often tied to an existing building or a listed heritage site, and the architectural design is developed together with the restoration specialists.

Architecture and structure

Unlike an industrial vegetable facility, a greenhouse for a botanical garden almost always requires individual architectural design. The historical context of the site, the silhouette of the pavilion, the view from the main avenue, the roofing materials and the tone of the glazing are all taken into account.

The basic structure:

• A frame of aluminium profile or galvanized steel with a thermal break
• Translucent structures — insulating glass units or tempered glass, with polycarbonate for individual zones where required
• Generous height for large specimens, with a dome, an arch or a multi-pitched roof to suit the architectural design
• Snow and wind load calculations for the region and, where necessary, seismic calculations
• Drainage details, ridge and ventilation windows coordinated with the architecture

Bespoke details and roof shapes are calculated and manufactured at our own steel structure plant. This makes it possible to realize non-standard architectural solutions without shipping an oversized frame from abroad.

Engineering systems of a glasshouse

Climate control is designed separately for each themed loop. The standard package of engineering systems includes:

• Heating (hot water, a heat substation and, where required, underfloor heating along the display paths)
• Heat recovery and supply-and-exhaust ventilation with filtration
• Vent ventilation and aeration controlled by the climate computer
• Screening and shading systems (internal and external)
• Supplementary LED lighting for shade-loving species and for the winter months
• Drip irrigation, fertigation and automatic watering for landscaped compositions
• Drainage, water treatment and, where required, UV disinfection
• SCADA supervisory control with logging and remote access for the scientific staff

The set of systems is agreed with the curator of the collection so that the operating regime matches the biology of the specific plant groups.

Delivering projects for public sector clients

For botanical gardens, universities, museums and other public sector clients, the technical solution often has to be prepared with a public tender in mind. In such a project it is important to align the architectural concept, the set of engineering systems, the equipment requirements and the documents that will form part of the tender package.

• pre-design survey of the site and preparation of the technical specification
• architectural concept and its fit with the existing buildings
• preparation of input data for the cost estimate and the tender documentation
• design and detailed documentation for the structures and the engineering systems
• where required, coordination with the restoration contractor and the heritage authorities