NEW GARDEN CENTRE AT POWERSCOURT ESTATE

Warmafloor has recently completed a most unusual project in a building completely made of glass.

Powerscourt is one of the most beautiful estates in Ireland. Situated in the mountains of Wicklow, it was originally an important strategic site for the Anglo-Normans who came to Ireland in the late 12th Century. By the year 1300 a castle had been built here and was in the possession of the le Poer (Power) family from which it takes its name. The succeeding centuries saw the castle held for different periods by powerful families such as the O'Tooles and the FitzGeralds, Earls of Kildare.

Sir Richard Wingfield
d. 1634
In 1603 Powerscourt Castle and lands were granted to a new English arrival in the area: Richard Wingfield. Following a successful military career in Ireland, Flanders, France and Portugal, Wingfield was Knighted and in 1600 was appointed as Marshall of Ireland. His descendants were to remain at Powerscourt for over 350 years.

Powerscourt was much altered in the 18th century when the castle and grounds were remodelled. The work involved the creation of a magnificent mansion around the shell of the earlier castle. The surrounding grounds were laid out in a series of formal rides and parkland to the North, with carefully planned gardens and terraces to the South. Further alterations in the next century resulted in the stunning garden and landscape design seen at Powerscourt today.
Warmafloor has designed and installed an underfloor heating system throughout the garden centre. The Warmafloor installation has been installed in the floor slab of the building in eight zones each of which is individually controllable.

Powerscourt have advised "As the building is made of glass we obviously had concerns about maintaining the temperature, however, the heating system overall is working well and we are pleased with the heating effect and its flexibility within the building."

Despite the large heat loss of the structure the underfloor heating provides comfort conditions in the building for the plants and occupants and demonstrates Warmafloor's abilities to provide solutions to complex buildings.

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