RHS GARDENS, WISLEY

The Old Laboratory

Sector: Private & Commercial
Location: Wisley, Woking
Date: 2022
Services: Construction & Refurbishment

“Eternal Build delivered our project on time and to a high standard of finish. The aftercare provided by the team in the months after completion have been invaluable”

Lucy McVeigh

Project Manager – RHS Garden Wisley

About this Project

RHS Garden, in Wisley, approached Eternal Build to tender for the complete refurbishment and alterations to The Old Lab building which sits within the grounds of the Wisley gardens.

The works were tendered over 2 phases, the first phase included alterations and refurbishment to create office space for the RHS Wisley staff down one end of the building and phase 2 concentrated on creating a new space for an exhibition centre for the general public to access.

This very prestigious building is Grade II listed and meant careful consideration and meticulous attention to detail was required from the Eternal Build team to ensure strict compliance was adhered to as set out by the specification, especially in relation to materials being used and making sure the appearance of the works were in keeping with the original building.

The works included internal alterations which encompassed changes to the layout of the ground floor of the building to allow the formation of office space and create an exhibition hub for the public to access whilst also to reinstating parts of the building to its original layout, the scope was centred around the following:

Full refurbishment package including structural alterations/new partitions, second fix carpentry, flooring, lime plaster works, decorations, mechanical and electrical services

Changes to the layout of the ground floor at the north end to provide a new accessible visitor entrance to the building.

Alterations to create office spaces and new toilets for the RHS staff

Alterations to existing lab spaces to create visitor galleries/ exhibition spaces.

The introduction of a platform lift to allow level access to public areas.

The reintroduction of the historic form of the lecture theatre in the centre of the building.

Alterations to internal doors and openings.

Addition of an accessible WC at ground floor.

Internal services to suit the spaces and to support the exhibition design and fit out. Exhibition design and fit out of exhibition installation is by others.