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Kew Gardens - Waterlily House
Refurbishment
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DBR Limited are delivering conservation and restoration works to the Waterlily House as part of Kew’s ongoing programme of environmental improvement and heritage preservation. Designed by Richard Turner and celebrated as one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian glasshouse engineering, the Waterlily House continues to play a vital role within Kew’s living collections. This project focuses on ensuring the building remains both resilient and relevant, balancing its historic significance with the demands of modern horticulture and sustainability.
Client
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Dates
Started in 2026
Location
London
Grade listing
Grade II
Fabric
Glass
Architects
Hugh Broughton Architects
Martin Ashley Architects
Looking Beneath the Surface
Central to the project is the complete replacement of the existing glazing alongside a programme of conservation-led fabric repairs. Informed by investigations and lessons learned through previous works to the Palm House, the approach addresses the long-term risks associated with ageing late twentieth-century glazing while enhancing safety, clarity and durability.
Working with a detailed understanding of the building's historic construction, the team has adopted a philosophy of minimal intervention, preserving original fabric wherever possible and ensuring repairs remain sympathetic to the character and evolution of the structure.
Breathing New Life into a Historic Glasshouse
As part of the works, DBR are helping to improve the environmental performance of the Waterlily House through the introduction of a more sustainable heating strategy. The glasshouse will be adapted to operate from a low-temperature hot water system shared with the neighbouring Palm House, reducing energy demand while maintaining the specialist conditions required for the collection it houses.
The challenge lies not only in improving efficiency, but in doing so without compromising the architectural integrity and unique atmosphere of the historic space.
Protecting What Matters Most
While the building itself is being carefully renewed, the qualities that define the Waterlily House remain firmly at the heart of the project. The iconic central pond, perimeter planting beds and corner ponds are all being retained, preserving the character and layout that generations of visitors have come to recognise.
Subtle interventions, including improved maintenance access and discreetly integrated grow lighting, have been designed to support the long-term care of the collections while enhancing the experience of those who visit. Interpretation measures have been approached with equal restraint, ensuring the story of the glasshouse can be told without competing with the building itself.
Preparing for the Next Century
Alongside the conservation works, a new ancillary storage structure is being introduced on existing hard-standing within the wider setting. Inspired by Kew’s historic service buildings, the circular timber-clad design has been conceived as a modest addition to the landscape, complementing rather than competing with the Waterlily House.
Together, these works represent a careful investment in the future of an internationally significant heritage asset. Through collaboration with the wider design team and a commitment to conservation-led construction, DBR Limited are helping ensure that the Waterlily House continues to thrive as a place of horticultural excellence, architectural significance and public enjoyment for generations to come.
