A popular Hampshire zoo has turned to the expertise of East Yorkshire commercial greenhouse specialists CambridgeHOK to ' upcycle and revamp ' an old disused facility – make it the perfect ' semi desert ' environment for raw species and plant display .
The 24 m long greenhouse at Marwell Zoo has not been used since 2018 when it was closed because it was no longer effective enough from a heat perspective to house tropic metal money .
Now , it is being take back into utilisation , with the squad from CambridgeHOK cleaning and restore as much of the original construction as potential and replacing glass board that have become damaged beyond repair ,
CambridgeHOK will then instal new irrigation and control system to ensure the perfect temperature and moisture levels can be maintained .
The young exhibit , cry ' Thriving Through Nature , ' will be home to species that fly high in sub - tropical temperature , think of less warmth is needed throughout the winter months .
It will admit waterfall and rocks for Rock hyrax - little , rabbit - like beast aboriginal to Africa – to revel alongside fresh water Pisces the Fishes , dirt ball , amphibians , and lizards which will exist amongst herbaceous plant , ribbon , and flora .
The aim has been to restore and continue most of the original glasshouse .
Ian Dolman , Operations Manager at CambridgeHOK , aver : " This is a unique job for us as , while we are often ring upon to plan and establish many young glasshouses , bringing an former , disused construction glasshouse back into use is an whole dissimilar challenge . "
" Although this is nothing like the scale leaf of many of the commercial horticultural garden truck - growing glasshouses that we work up , there have been substantial challenge to overcome . "
" first of all , as you’re able to conceive of , hold it is as spyglass building which has been remain firm idle and assailable to the elements for almost five age , it was not in a great condition when we were first show around the site , but all agreed the best way forward , taking environmental considerations into account , was to lend it back into use . "
" We want to hold as much of the original building as possible and ensure that we maximized the value of choosing to freshen up rather than rebuild . That intend we were very careful in term of retaining existing glazing wherever potential . "
" Given it stands at a height of almost seven measure , the roof glazing panel had to be reached with a special boom lift . "
" Thankfully , we have been capable to keep on many original glazing panels , which have been chemically cleaned and now appear as good as raw . It has been a expectant project to be involve in . "
Sean Mannie , Commercial Director at Marwell Zoo , say : " We are dead entranced to be impart back to biography this wonderful glasshouse , which was , for many years , such a popular and integral part of any sojourn to Marwell . "
" It will bet wholly different , featuring lots of exciting new species in a brand - new , easy - to - perspective stage setting . We recognise our guests will bang it . "
CambridgeHOK started on site in November 2022 and is await to handover in April , ready for the zoological garden to produce the new surround , which will incorporate look at areas as well as learning opportunities for visitant .
For more info : CambridgeHOKTel . : +44(0)1430 449440[email protected]www.cambridgehok.co.uk
