Description:
The Palm House Complex (1884), located in the National Botanic Gardens, is the last know pre-fabricated Palm House of its period surviving in Western Europe. It combines cast iron columns, wrought iron glazing bars at high level, and teak timber infill panels at lower levels. Two long single level glasshouses adjoin the central Palm House, while a stone rear building provides structural support on the north elevation. The research and development of cast iron and wrought iron restoration techniques, coupled with metal/timber interface corrosion problem solutions, made a faithful restoration feasible. Paint systems were developed to cater for high humidity, metal protection and breathability of the teak timber panels.