RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

Dublin Over €3m

The conservation of this complex of national and international importance erected in 1884, was achieved through a process of survey, specialist research, and the investigation of a variety of restoration techniques.

Over a period of two years, the glass houses were tagged, dismantled and reassembled. Problems of electrochemical corrosion at the metal and timber interface were resolved through careful research and the use of inventive interventions.

The structure now provides for disabled access, and the outstanding quality both of the research and the techniques used, have made the house and its display once more available to the public. More than this, the lessons learned can be applied in other situations, thus adding immeasurably to the knowledge and understanding of the repair of such structures in Ireland. The architects are to be commended on the leading role they have taken in developing our understanding of the repair of historic structures such as these.

Architect's Comment
The 1884 Palm House Complex comprises four principal areas namely: the Great Palm House, the West Wing Camellia House, the East Wing Orchid House and the Rear Stone Building. The complex is a protected structure. A detailed survey, specialist research and a variety of restoration techniques were developed to solve problems varying from cast and wrought iron metal decay, electrochemical rot of adjacent timber panels, structural instability, paint and glazing systems. The work also included more conventional restoration techniques relating to the granite, limestone and brick.

The essential architectural element of the restoration is the volume of the Palm House. There were two basic options open to us. We could insert visually obtrusive structural props within the glasshouse volume or opt for a minimal fabric and visual intervention solution, which would maintain the integrity of the original design. We chose the latter. Essentially this approach entails using the existing gantry walkways as (reinforced) lateral supports whose structural loading would be transferred to the reconstructed rear wall.
Extensive computer controlled services to meet strict heat, humidity and ventilation requirements have been integrated into the project with minimum visual impact. Full disabled access has been provided and energy saving techniques introduced.

The building was carefully tagged, dismantled, repaired and re-assembled over a two-year period. The client and design team worked closely together throughout the whole process.

Clients' Comment
The National Botanic Gardens is over 200 years old. Since the publication of it's Management Plan in 1992 it has been transformed by a sequence of ten major and minor projects encompassing both restoration and new-build buildings. The same architectural team have been involved throughout. The contribution of their design and restoration skills, lateral thinking and attention to detail has ensured that all these projects were delivered to a very high standard and within budget.

The Palm House Complex restoration represents another decisive chapter in the renewal of this cultural institution dedicated to the cultivation of plant collections for scientific research, conservation, education, and display. The groundbreaking restoration techniques developed for the restoration of the adjacent all metal Turner Curvilinear Range have been further developed and refined. In addition, the electrochemical corrosion at the metal/timber interface in the Palm House has been resolved through careful research and inventive interventions.

The Palm House, known locally as the "jungle house," has been given back to the Gardens, it's staff and visitors. Botanical and visitor requirements have been brought from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century while fully achieving rigorous conservation and restoration goals. Our architects have delivered on all fronts. Research has been turned into architectural practice.