Ever since it first gained wide popularity in the 19th century, the Victorian glasshouse has become an iconic feature of large estates and botanic gardens throughout the United Kingdom. Helping warm-weather plants like oranges, avocados, and grapes thrive in the historically chilly climate, these structures maximize light and create an ideal temperature inside, usually consisting of a cast or wrought iron frame paired with plenty of glass. More ornate than the typical greenhouse, they also tend to feature architectural embellishments and rounded shapes.

Modern interpretations that do justice to the spirit of the original Victorian glasshouse maintain some of those integral features with updated designs. One such structure now stands outside the International Quarter London (IQL), reviving an old neighborhood tradition with an interesting new silhouette. Created by London-based architecture practice Studio Weave and supported by Lendlease and LCR, The Hothouse is both a functional glasshouse and a statement about climate change.
The Hothouse is London Design Week’s Landmark Project of 2020, opening just in time for the London Design Festival that took place from September 12th to 20th, 2020. Set to remain in place for a full year, the glasshouse features a garden designed by Tom Massey, planted with a vast array of food crops from all over the world, including guava, gourd, chia seed, pomegranate, quinoa, mango, sweet potato, lemon, sugarcane, loquat, and more. Each ...