Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens is to undergo a massive transformation after receiving planning permission. The 15-acre site which includes four Victorian glasshouses, will be restored to their former glory and adapted to serve contemporary horticultural needs.
The gardens need urgent and extensive renovation and repairs and are considered at risk by Historic England. City-based architects, Howells was granted consent from the council to overhaul the site which is home to Midland’s finest and largest collection of over 10,000 botanic species.
The project will provide a low-carbon, sympathetic reinterpretation of the existing gardens and structure and will deliver a long-term sustainable future for the gardens. By carefully pairing back the layers the design team will improve the visitor experience and facilities.
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Howells are working in collaboration with conservation specialists and historic buildings consultants Donald Insall Associates. Once completed, the project will transform this key heritage asset to align with the city’s Our Future City 2040 plan which aims to create a green, sustainable and walkable city.
Sandeep Shambi, Partner at Howells, said : “We are delighted to have received the go ahead for the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is one of the last independent botanical gardens in the UK and so it’s vitally important that this important heritage asset is conserved but also given space to develop. We are working in collaboration with their talented team, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, stakeholders and Donald Insall Associates, to help preserve the gardens for future generations and create jobs and opportunities for people in Birmingham.”
A peacock trampling the tulips at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
(Image: flickr / Chris Howell)
Matthew Vaughan, Practice Director at Donald Insall Associates, said: “The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a landmark not just for their historic buildings but their living collection of rare species from across the globe. Conservation of the glasshouses to respond to these particular heritage considerations will be a key challenge, protecting the historic fabric while enhancing their performance for the needs of the collection within. We look forward realising our client’s vision for enhancing the sustainability, accessibility and heritage of the Botanical Gardens for the people of Birmingham and beyond.”