A Humber engineering specialist has carried out the most challenging and unique project in its 70-year history – building a glasshouse on the eighth floor of a 12-storey apartment scheme.
Hull based CambridgeHOK has built the new glasshouse on the roof of the new ‘urban living’ development in Swansea, to help residents connect with nature. The project has been created for Hacer Developments on its first-of-a-kind ‘Biophilic Living’ development, where the East Yorkshire firm had to install the glasshouse on floors eight to 11 of the new 12-storey complex.
Three floors of the new 3,200 sqft glasshouse will be used for residents to explore hydroponic growing methods, producing their own crops and vegetables at growing stations. The top floor of the glasshouse, which offers stunning views across the city, will also provide a unique meeting room space for the building's users, surrounded by light and greenery.
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The glasshouse installation was completed in just eight weeks by the CambridgeHOK team, and is now ready for internal works to begin. The firm said it took a great deal of detailed pre-planning, as most glasshouses are usually single storey and built on the ground. Glazing panels, each three metres in size, had to be individually crane lifted to the eighth floor, with wind conditions taken into account.
Rob Williams, structural and design team leader at CambridgeHOK, said: “There were many unique challenges in this project, from the glasshouse itself being a four-storey building, to it of course being installed at height. Due to it being multi-storey glasshouse we had to adapt our existing glazing system to ensure we balanced transparency requirements with essential structural elements.
“The main challenge was to maintain the light, open feel of the space while also ensuring the framework provided adequate support, without compromising aesthetics. The elevated nature of the structure also introduced higher wind loads, requiring enhanced sealing measures beyond our standard glasshouse specifications. This ensures improved weather resistance and long-term durability, particularly at greater heights.
“To further support both installation and future maintenance, the glazing system was also designed on a floor by floor basis. This modular approach allowed for flexible erection sequencing, enabling installation from either the top or bottom floor.”
The Swansea complex will be home to around 120 residents, with each apartment having a balcony with pre-installed grow-boxes. Horticulture and allotment specialists will also be onsite to educate and inspire residents on how to grow their own produce.
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As well as having access to their own private space to grow, there will also be a rooftop community garden, giving residents the opportunity to socialise and collaborate. The building will also be home to around 350 people working in the commercial office spaces, shops, and offices.
The project aims to provide a ‘radical new approach to living and working in the urban environment’ – creating ‘a building that lives and breathes’, providing its own energy through sustainable methods.
Patrick Harte, joint managing director of CambridgeHOK, said: “We were thrilled to firstly be considered for this project, and then of course to be selected. As a business which is a known leader in the glasshouse field, but also as an innovator and a forward-thinking engineering specialist, this project was perfectly suited to us, as we always like to take on a new challenge. It is why we have a reputation for achieving industry firsts.
“That is certainly the case with this project, and we are really proud to have been a part of.”
Lee Wrightson, project manager at Helix 21, which is overseeing the build of Biophilic Living for Hacer Developments, said: “CambridgeHOK has proven to be a key contractor on this project, focusing exclusively on the impressive greenhouse that towers over and overlooks Swansea’s seafront. Credit goes to the entire CambridgeHOK team, from the early design phases to proactive site planning, on-site management, safety awareness, and driving the construction programme forward. They have truly exemplified what it means to be a specialist contractor, delivering a seamless and faultless service.”