Woolbeding Gardens Glasshouse, Midhurst, UK

Image © Lois GoBe

A crown of light and movement, this sculptural pavilion by Heatherwick Studio unfolds to reveal nature in motion. Nestled at the edge of the Woolbeding Gardens in West Sussex, the ten-steel “sepals” open in a four-minute performance to bathe the subtropical plantings in sunlight and fresh air. Set within the historic Woolbeding Estate, the Glasshouse serves as the focal point of a new garden inspired by the Silk Route - tracing the journey of exotic species that transformed horticulture in Britain. The structure’s mechanical precision mirrors the organic patterns found in nature, creating a seamless dialogue between art, engineering, and landscape. Glass panels laminated with a high-performance SentryGlas® interlayer ensure durability, clarity, and resilience, even within this kinetic environment. The result is a transparent shell that feels both delicate and enduring - allowing the glass to perform as both skin and structure while maintaining its brilliance through constant movement. Beyond its technical achievement, the Woolbeding Glasshouse celebrates the human connection to nature - a contemporary interpretation of the 19th-century glasshouse that reimagines how architecture can breathe, open, and evolve with the living world around it.

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