The historically important Temperate House within Kew Gardens is a Grade I listed building covering 4,880 square metres. It boasts 15,000 panes of glass and is 19 metres at its tallest point.

The Temperate House was created to house frost tender plants and is now home to some of the rarest and endangered temperate plants, with some six species considered Extinct in the Wild according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.

As part of a five-year refurbishment plan, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, commissioned Miles Water Engineering to design and construct several rock features and streams, including the main water feature, the rock cascade, reflection pool and associated pumping systems.

The project also involved carefully relocating the ancient trees, some of which were more than 100 years old, often carried in on their side with a team of people supporting the root ball, trunk and canopy. We also transported tons of specialist soils for the new plant beds and finished with re-landscaping works.

This unique project was full of challenges and required flexibility and adaptation on our part to meet the requirements of an intense refurbishment programme. Ensuring safety of the other skilled contractors on site at all times, whilst manoeuvring the sensitive flora with large machinery within a fragile glass building!

The refurbished glass house was opened by Sir David Attenborough.