A new ‘jewel’ within the Woolbeding National Trust site, Woolbeding Glasshouse comprises diamond shaped glass elements that open to resemble a stylised flower and ventilation to the plants within. The project includes the provision of all required infrastructure and extensive new landscaping around the new glasshouse. Woolbeding Glasshouse was commended at the RTPI South East Awards in the Best Project category in 2023.
Key Project Features
- A challenging project, akin to procuring a machine rather than a building
- 10 glass sepals, motorised to allow opening and closing
- Extensive landscaping works to replicate the Silk Roads
Core Five Added Value
- Extensive market research was required throughout Europe to determine a pool of potential subcontractors. Initial research during RIBA Stage 2 determined that the concept of a moving structure was achievable
- Delivered within budget
- Regular review and contribution to risk to ensure appropriate budgets were assigned
- We designed a bespoke procurement route, based on the concept of a “Primary Sub Contractor (PSC)” recognising that the most critical element of the project was design and construction of the glasshouse. This enabled use of a more local Main Contractor with lower overheads resulting in significant saving compared with using the specialist division of a Tier 1 Contractor. This illustrates our intellectual approach to Cost Management, developing appropriate solutions rather than just offering a standard solution
- A Pre Contract Services Agreement (PCSA) was entered into with the PSC during RIBA Stage 4. We ensured that this was exhaustive, identifying deliverables for each week of the PCSA
