Works at Wisley Gardens underway
J P Dunn Construction is now well advanced with the groundworks and structural concrete frame for the National Centre for Horticultural Science & Learning for the Royal Horticultural Society, on behalf of Osbornes. The total package of works have a value of around £4 million and are being managed by Stephen Brown.
The 4,750 m2 building, designed by architect Wilkinson Eyre, is being built at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey. Once completed, it will provide research and educational facilities for horticultural science. The project has secured £4m National Lottery funding and £1m from the local enterprise partnership.
The building comprises two wings with concrete and steel frames, clad in sweet chestnut timber. Linking the wings will be a double-height glazed area. The two-storey building will house plant specimens, laboratory space, library/archive, conference, learning and exhibition spaces, and a café.
This project follows the previous collaboration between J P Dunn Construction and Osbornes at the library at the Royal Holloway University, where many of the design features were similar to the requirements of the RHS for this flagship project.