UK retail design experts HPW Architecture have created a leading European nursery’s first garden centre...
The Hampshire-based practice was appointed by German horticulture giant Worlein to create a store which reflected the company’s 100 years of experience supplying the landscaping industry and distinguished it from competitors.
The new centre has a 4,000sqm heated retail space, 6,000sqm plant-area with a 2,000sqm covered walkway and a car-park, on the site of Worlein’s pre-existing nursery and headquarters in Diessen near Munich. The structure itself was supplied by Wolf-haus, the European leaders in pre-fabricated construction, for whom it was their first garden centre project.
The unique €3.5 million pre-fabricated structure boasts a highly sustainable specification, super-insulated shell, integral skylights, natural ventilation and, unlike most other garden centres in Germany and the UK, was built using a lot of timber in-keeping with the niursery’s horticultural values.
HPW also created new branding and signage, including bespoke signage manufactured in the UK and then constructed on site in Germany.
The retail area allows sales space for boutique gifts and furniture, a full spectrum of plants from bedding to 16m mature trees, as well as a 250-cover restaurant which will open later this year.
Worlein owner Ludwig Worlein said: “We are incredibly excited to be opening our first ever garden centre. For more than a century my family’s business has been at the forefront of the landscaping industry but moving into the consumer market represents a new challenge. We have valued the experience and expertise of the HPW Architecture team, without which we wouldn’t have such a masterfully designed store.”
Gary Wilburn, director of design and sustainability, added: “We have a long-standing partnership with Worlein and it’s hugely fulfilling to now be able to deliver such an important project in the company’s history. Creating such a unique and client-specific building, interior and identity is testament to the cooperation and skills of the whole project team both in the UK and Germany.”