Project by Bridge Greenhouses

Merrist Wood College – New Horticultural Education Facility

Project by Bridge Greenhouses

Merrist Wood College – New Horticultural Education Facility

Location: Surrey

Project Scope: Full Turnkey Design, Supply, and Installation

Total Area: 1,120 m²

Industry: Education / Horticultural Training

The Vision

Merrist Wood College, a multi-award-winning leader in land-based education, required a facility that could bridge the gap between academic theory and commercial reality. The goal was to create a glasshouse that replicated research-grade growing conditions while providing a safe, comfortable, and modern environment for teaching the next generation of horticultural professionals.

The Bridge Solution

Bridge Greenhouses were the perfect partner for this complex project, delivering a state-of-the-art, environmentally controlled Venlo glasshouse integrated with a high-performance ancillary building. By combining advanced climate technology with sustainable energy solutions, we provided a facility that serves as both a high-yield growing space and a functional, professional-grade teaching facility.

Technical Specifications

Greenhouse Structure: Freestanding 4m-bay Venlo glasshouse (4.8m to gutter) divided into four growing areas.

Ancillary Building: Multi-compartment ancillary building clad in high-performance insulated composite panels for maximum thermal efficiency.

Groundworks: Power-floated profiled concrete floors throughout with integrated central drainage channels in each compartment.

Screens: 4 no. horizontal thermal/shade systems (Svensson HARMONY 4647 FR) and 4 no. vertical roll screens (Svensson HARMONY 4445 R FR) for precision light and energy saving.

Heating: Sustainable Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) system paired with fan coil units, maximising ASHP efficiency via low-flow temperature management.

Lighting: 57 no. 6ft weatherproof non-corrosive Bell Lighting LED batten lights within the eight areas of the structure.

Irrigation: Sustainable rainwater harvesting system with storage tanks, UV Filtration and precision misting lines.

Electrics: 5 no. custom-built Bridge control panels, full access lighting and air circulation fans in all growing areas.

Computer: Tomtech T200 centralised control system with integrated weather station to control ventilation, screens and heating to four growing zones.

Project Highlights

• Sustainable Innovation: The integration of Air Source Heat Pumps and rainwater harvesting helped create an eco-friendly solution.
• Commercial Realism: The use of industry-standard Venlo structures and Tomtech automation ensures students are trained on the exact equipment used regularly in commercial horticulture.