The greenhouse in bud [open and close the roof]

Heatherwick Studios has unveiled its latest project, a mechanically powered greenhouse on the edge of the National Trust's Woolbedin Gardens, which is part of a historic site in West Sussex, England.

With a height of 15 metres and an area of 143 square metres, the expandable structure is the focal point of the new garden, reflecting the influence of the ancient Silk Road on today's English garden. It is made up of ten glass and aluminium 'sepals' that unfold in four minutes to form a large crown space.

Inspired by Victorian ornamental terrariums, the powerhouse emphasises commemorating the past by "weaving contemporary inventions into a historical context and then having the confidence to speak to one another". 

The greenhouse itself holds specimens of the rare Aralia Vietnamensis, which provides shade for ferns growing next to umbrella trees, magnolias and bananas.

The engineering design of the installation provides a functional protective structure while providing unique decorative elements for the new silk garden. Its "sepals" can be opened by hydraulic press, so that the plant can get sunlight and ventilation; In cold weather, the structure stays closed, providing shelter for the subtropical species it harbors.

Woolbedin's Power Greenhouse and Silk Road Garden are now open to the public every Thursday and Friday from April 28 to September 30, 2022.

Architect:

Thomas Heatherwick

Born in London in 1971, he studied at Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal College of Art in London and set up his own studio in 1994. Thomas is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Senior Fellow of the Royal College of Art. He holds doctorates from Sheffield Hallam University, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Brighton and the University of Dundee. He was awarded the Royal Order of Industrial Design in 2004. Has the construction industry "ghost" said. By his early 30s, Thomas was being hailed as the "new Leonardo Da Vinci" in Britain.

This article is reproduced from: www.archdaily.cn