Horticultural research facility blossoms from collaborative design process
Commissioned by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science is a two-storey, state-of-the-art research and learning facility at Wisley Gardens.
Architect: WilkinsonEyre
Façade contractor: NA Curtain Walling Limited (NACWL)
Main contractor: Crown Aluminium
Photo credits: Hufton + Crow
Products: FWS 50 SG Curtain Wall, FWS 60 SG Rooflights, ADS 70 HI Doors, ASS 70 FD Bi-Fold Doors, AWS 70 HI Windows
The project was designed by WilkinsonEyre and brought to life with specialist façade contractor NA Curtain Walling Limited (NACWL), fabricator Crown Aluminium, and structural engineer, Michael Barclay Projects (MBP). This landmark horticultural facility features façade, window, and door systems from Schüco, and was a finalist in the Schüco Excellence Awards 2023.
Spread over 4,750 square meters, RHS Hilltop houses laboratories, a public exhibition space, teaching studios, an events hall, and facilities for the RHS’s herbarium and library collections. The design incorporates two splayed wings with visual connections to the surrounding landscaped science gardens or ‘living laboratories’. To emphasise the facility’s indoor-outdoor connection, the materials palette blends natural with exposed structural elements, using sweet chestnut timber cladding and precast concrete plinths, as well as expansive glass façades.
An environmentally focused design
RHS Hilltop conducts world-leading horticultural research and its construction had to adhere to stringent environmental and security standards. Designing with this in mind, the architect took a fabric-first approach. The development features a highly efficient façade with low U-values and excellent airtightness. The glazing was carefully considered to optimise daylight while controlling solar gain.
Schüco systems supported these requirements, providing high-security doors with access control, and climate-controlled actuators within windows for precise environmental management.
Early involvement with Schüco was pivotal to realising the project’s ambitious design. Simon Pearce, Head of Design at NACWL, explains:
“The client requested a ‘harmonised’ system supplier for all glazed façade elements, including curtain walling, windows, doors, bi-folding doors, rooflights, and automated ventilation systems. Schüco was identified as the supplier of choice, being one of very few firms capable of providing a solution for all these elements.”
The complex geometrical requirements of the project presented unique challenges, such as creating large two-storey curtain walls with mullions spanning up to 8.3 metres. The Schüco FWS 50 system proved to be the ideal solution to meet these demands, including the incorporation of raking transoms on elevation and angular façade transitions on the front entrance. NACWL worked closely with Schüco to prepare sample mock-up panels to agree quality standards.
The project was designed by WilkinsonEyre and brought to life with specialist façade contractor NA Curtain Walling Limited (NACWL), fabricator Crown Aluminium, and structural engineer, Michael Barclay Projects (MBP). This landmark horticultural facility features façade, window, and door systems from Schüco, and was a finalist in the Schüco Excellence Awards 2023.
Spread over 4,750 square meters, RHS Hilltop houses laboratories, a public exhibition space, teaching studios, an events hall, and facilities for the RHS’s herbarium and library collections. The design incorporates two splayed wings with visual connections to the surrounding landscaped science gardens or ‘living laboratories’. To emphasise the facility’s indoor-outdoor connection, the materials palette blends natural with exposed structural elements, using sweet chestnut timber cladding and precast concrete plinths, as well as expansive glass façades.
Collaboration is key
The collaboration between Schüco, NACWL, Crown Aluminium, and WilkinsonEyre exemplifies how early engagement can overcome complex challenges to create an aesthetically exceptional and functional building.
Geoff Turner, Associate Director at WilkinsonEyre, reflects: “We were impressed by how the team appreciated and supported our design intent, ensuring the building sits naturally within its landscaped setting.”
Simon Pearce adds: “The result is a striking facility that integrates a range of façade materials and interfaces while achieving world-class environmental and security performance.”
The success of the RHS Hilltop project highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in delivering architectural excellence.
