South Downs glasshouse gets glory in RTPI awards

South Downs glasshouse gets glory in RTPI awards

August 16, 2023

A unique petal-shaped glasshouse has been commended by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with judges describing it as an “exceptional piece of architecture”.

The Woolbeding Glasshouse and Silk Route Garden, in West Sussex, was entered into the Best South East Project Awards.

Although narrowly missing the top spot, the RTPI was full of praise for the project, which was given the go-ahead by the Authority four years ago and is now pride of place at the popular National Trust gardens.

The RTPI said the design “reflects the setting of a standalone parkland structure representing a feature characteristic of historic country houses which often continue the personalisation of their house and gardens through interventions within their landscape”.

It added: “The Heatherwick Studio-designed Glasshouse is, arguably, an exceptional piece of architecture in a very sensitive setting with both landscape and heritage impacts to consider.

“It is clear that this has required a very high level of negotiation between the South Downs National Park Authority, as custodians of a nationally important landscape, the National Trust, Heatherwick Studio and Savills.

“The judges were very impressed by the collaboration and negotiation required, underpinned by effective use of tools such as planning conditions, to successfully integrate a contemporary, highly distinctive piece of architecture into a very sensitive setting.”

Tim Slaney, Director of Planning for the National Park, said: “This beautiful structure echoes Victorian glasshouses and references to the large 19th century glasshouse that previously existed next to the mansion.

“It shows how National Parks can be bold and sensitive to landscape at the same time.”