Itchen Greenhouse

Design ACB was commissioned by a private client to design a series of contemporary outbuildings set within the substantial grounds and curtilage of a Grade II listed house. One of these outbuildings is a new greenhouse which incorporates a dog-kennel, dog-run and bin store.

The tectonic resolution of the scheme has been carefully considered with a ‘heavy‘ Portland stone base supporting a ‘lightweight’ timber and glass structure above. This contrast has been further re-enforced through a dark stain on timber elements. The timber cladding has been constructed from Accoya®, a high technology, stable and sustainably sourced softwood. Its narrow banding is designed to accentuate the horizontal planes of the Portland stone below, the module of which is continued in the paneled timber doors. The greenhouse incorporates a building management system which automatically opens and closes glass louvres to control solar gain and regulate internal temperature.

The site contains protected tress and is located within a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) & SAC (Special Area of Conservation). This made planning and obtaining consents difficult and required working very closely with the Environment Agency, Natural England and local conservation officers to obtain permissions for many of the works.

This project was recently shortlisted for the AJ Small Projects 2013.