Challenge

To mark its bicentenary year in 2007, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) launched a state of the art Glasshouse at Wisley Garden in Surrey, providing a world class home for its stunning 5,000 strong tender plant collection and offering a modern venue for educational activities.

As part of the development around the exterior of the Glasshouse, the RHS approached Marshalls plc and Marshalls Street Furniture for their assistance in landscaping the two large terrace areas which directly overlook the lake area and entrance. The requirements consisted of the installation of a new post and rail system and paving. The requirements for a new post and rail system from the RHS were threefold. First and foremost was to ensure the safety of visitors to the Glasshouse, secondly, the system had to complement the contemporary aesthetic of the Glasshouse and thirdly, the RHS wanted to maximise the view of the surrounding landscape.

Solution

Marshalls proposed the use of the Sineu Graff Series 9600 Post, Rail and Tension Wire system. The scheme consists of elegant, slimline uprights with a uniquely curved anti-climb profile to ensure pedestrian safety. A two rail and six stainless steel cables configuration meant that the spectacular view was not hindered by the scheme.

The new system was installed with matt shot peened stainless steel uprights and contrasting electro-polished stainless steel rails, both manufactured in a grade 316L classification for maximised durability.

Marshalls provided contemporary Conservation paving in Silver Grey around the Glasshouse to complement the newly introduced post and rail and scheme and the aesthetic of the building itself. Marshalls also provided Silver Grey Conservation Setts and Mistral Textured Granite Set Paving at various other locations around RHS Garden Wisley along with branded Marshalls paving towards the entrance of the building

Benefits

The Glasshouse was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen and has since received positive feedback from both visitors and staff at RHS Garden Wisley.

Garden Wisley’s Curator, Jim Gardiner said: “We are extremely proud of our Glasshouse structure and the surrounding area. The aesthetic of the Marshalls Conservation paving links well with the white powder coated Glasshouse structure, which is complemented in turn by the clean lines of the stainless steel railing which separates the building from the lake. We are very pleased with the overall effect of the elegant clean lines and crisp appearance the scheme provides.