Glasshouses Restoration Project

Chelsea Physic Garden  |  2023

We were appointed in 2019 to develop a masterplan for Chelsea Physic Garden’s Glasshouse Restoration project, supported by the NLHF. Our team worked closely with CPG providing new interpretation that aims to engage new and non-traditional visitors by bringing stories of the plants to life in a coherent way as well as promoting understanding of the medicinal, herbal and cultural uses of plants. 

We advised on reordering the content of the Glasshouses and designed a set of graphical elements that sit unobtrusively amongst the plants within the Glasshouses as well as general way-finding and benches throughout the Glasshouse area. Inside each Glasshouse, a simple armature supports a series of graphic panels giving visitors an introductory overview to the plants. A tactile globe shows where in the world the plants grow and tactile objects allow visitors to engage with specific plant features. Benches were made using sweet chestnut to match the newly-conserved Glasshouses. All furniture and graphic systems were engineered and fabricated using materials that will withstand the extreme conditions of heat, cold and humidity. 

Team:
Skellon Studio: 3D Design and Creative Direction
Seeing Things: Graphic Design
Content Development: Polly Richards
Scena: Build Contractor


Related links:
Chelsea Physic Garden

Photos: Seeing Things, Lol Johnson