Plans submitted to renovate Kew’s iconic Palm House into the first net-zero glasshouse of its kind

Planning submitted for the Palm House and Waterlily House to undergo major renovation at Kew Gardens
Ambitious aim to create the first net-zero heritage glasshouses of their kind
Iconic cultural buildings are showing serious signs of deterioration
One third of funds raised, support urgently needed
Needs of horticulturists, engineers and architects must be balanced with precision, a challenge that has not been attempted for a building of this kind before

Today, Wednesday 16 July 2025, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to undertake a landmark renovation of the iconic Palm House and Waterlily House. The urgently needed renovation aims to create the first heritage net-zero glasshouses of their kind, conserving two of the UK’s most iconic heritage buildings while radically adapting the engineering for a more sustainable future.

Since the Palm House opened in 1848 the building has undergone regular restorations, largely due to the impact of high humidity and poor ventilation on the structure. The last renovation took place in the 1980s. Both the Palm House and Waterlily House are currently showing serious signs of deterioration, and without urgent work the listed buildings and tropical plants they protect are at risk of being lost forever.

Almost a third of the funds needed to safeguard these glasshouses for future generations have been raised, and RBG Kew is now calling for support from all levels to enable this flagship renovation project.

Context and history

Constructed between 1844 and 1848 using techniques borrowed from the shipbuilding industry, the Palm House represented cutting-edge technology and thinking at that time. A companion building to the Palm House, the Waterlily House opened in 1852 and was purpose-built to showcase Victoria amazonica – the world’s largest waterlily.

RBG Kew’s aspiration to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and managed sustainably means there is also a need to bring these heritage landmarks into the 21st century through pioneering sustainable engineering. This renovation, with an ambition to achieve net zero, presents an opportunity to once again position the iconic Palm House at the forefront of innovation.

This exciting re-imagining of one of the UK’s cultural treasures marks a significant new chapter in its storied history. Having previously transitioned from coal to oil and then to gas (the Palm House and Waterlily House are currently powered by inefficient 1980s gas boilers) this is the first time in history that renewable options can feasibly be used to power the Palm House and protect the 1300 plants housed within. However, to achieve this ambition the (often contradictory) needs of horticulturists, engineers and architects must be balanced with precision, a challenge that has not been attempted for a building of this kind before.

Richard Deverell, Director of RBG Kew, says: "This is a pivotal moment in the history of Kew. With sustainability at the core of our mission, this project exemplifies our commitment to safeguarding both the environment and cultural heritage. The transformation of the Palm House and Waterlily House into net-zero icons will not only protect irreplaceable plants but serve as a beacon of what sustainable heritage can achieve.”

How this will be achieved

The redevelopment is being led by the Kew Capital Projects Team who, together with Hugh Broughton Architects and Cundall engineers, have undertaken years of rigorous testing to strike the difficult balance between energy efficiency and the specific needs of the tropical plants housed within.

Key features of the design include:

Replacement of 16,500 glass panes with high-performance sealed glazing (existing glass dating from the 1980s will be recycled)
Use of bespoke silicone gaskets to reduce heat loss
Move to a fully electrified air and water source heat pump system
Maximised rainwater storage and irrigation system upgrade
Sensitive conservation of original materials and finishes
Restoration of Sir William Nesfield’s original ornamental garden layout
Improved access to make the space fully inclusive

While innovative engineering will radically reimagine the energy efficiency of these buildings, this project will not harm the integrity of the glasshouses. By working with leading conservation architects, Historic England, and other advisors, the Victorian charm of these listed buildings will be painstakingly conserved to ensure the historic fabric is fully respected. Once renovated the Palm House and Waterlily House will feel familiar but refreshed.

Work happening already and timings

The relocation and propagation of plant specimens by Kew’s expert horticulturists has already begun, safeguarding plants from some of the most threatened environments in the world. Though the project is not expected to start until 2027, and will last four to five years, visitors to the Palm House can already see specialist work re-potting, air-layering and relocating plants to ensure the survival of over 1000 plant species housed within. Two cutting-edge glasshouses, one permanent and one temporary, have been built for the cultivation of tropical plants, each using advanced systems to control the temperature, humidity and light management more sustainably.

Tom Pickering, Head of Glasshouse Collections at RBG Kew, explains: "At the heart of this project is the need to protect the extraordinary plant collections housed in the Palm House and Waterlily House. Besides being beautiful, many have cultural, scientific and conservation value, and replacing these collections is unimaginable. Achieving net zero in these historic buildings is an unprecedented task, it’s a complex challenge which must consider the interplay of horticulture, climatic control, engineering, and architecture.”

Hugh Broughton, Hugh Broughton Architects, says: "The Palm House and Waterlily House at Kew Gardens are instantly recognisable icons of Victorian innovation. This exciting project will help to conserve and decarbonise these inspiring glasshouses and make them more accessible to a wider audience. The design elegantly reflects Kew’s ambitious Climate Positive 2030 strategy, reminding us of the fragility of the rainforests and our role in their protection.”

This project, which is expected to cost in the region of £60 million, will safeguard the Palm House for future generations, and realise the ambition of making the Palm House and Waterlily House the first net zero glasshouses of their kind. Almost a third of the funds have been raised so far from government support and philanthropy, and the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew would like to thank all those who have given and pledged support to the Palm House project so far including Defra, Julia Rausing Trust, World Monuments Fund Britain, and those who have chosen to remain anonymous. We will be seeking funding for this major project throughout its duration. For more information on how to support the project visit https://support.kew.org/donate/palmhouse or call 02083323246.

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Press images are available here: https://we.tl/t-GRH0jbs5HI

For more information or images, please contact the Press Office at pr@kew.org / 0208 332 5607

Notes to editors

About Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific and horticultural institution and conservation charity, whose mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the wellbeing of people and the future of all life on Earth. It is internationally respected for its outstanding collections, horticultural and scientific expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the globe. Kew Gardens, with its 132 hectares of historic, landscaped gardens, is also a major attraction for international and London visitors alike. Dating back to 1759, the site has a rich history and was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003. Combined visitor numbers with Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, total over 2.5 million per year. Wakehurst is home to the Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world and a safeguard against the disastrous effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. RBG Kew receives approximately one third of its funding from the UK Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils, with the remaining two thirds coming from supporters, sponsors, memberships and commercial activity including ticket sales. This enables RBG Kew to carry out its vital scientific and educational work. For tickets and membership options, please visit our website. Since implementing a new accessibility scheme for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Legacy Benefits, Kew has welcomed over 100,000 visitors with £1 tickets across both UK sites.