Opening of the New Tropical Glasshouse at Flora Cologne
Thursday 11 June 2026
Opening of a Landmark Botanical Glasshouse in Cologne
On 12 June, the new tropical glasshouse at the Botanical Garden Flora in Cologne will officially open to the public. The project marks an important milestone for one of Germany’s most renowned botanical gardens and demonstrates what is possible when architecture, engineering, and horticulture come together.
The approximately 3,000 m² glasshouse has been designed to maximise natural daylight while providing highly controlled climatic conditions for more than 6,000 rare and endangered plant species. The lightweight structure incorporates approximately 4,500 m² of insulated low-iron glass and a carefully engineered steel framework with minimal steel sections to reduce shading and optimise plant growth.
Visitors can explore the tropical environment via a 400-metre-long elevated walkway, offering unique views of tropical forests, plantations, water landscapes, epiphytes, orchids, cacti, succulents, and many other remarkable plant collections. The highest point of the glasshouse reaches approximately 17.5 metres.
The journey to completion was not without challenges. Following the completion of the main structure, the project faced delays caused by global supply chain disruptions, energy market uncertainties, and the insolvency of specialist contractors. In addition, commissioning of the complex building automation systems required additional time to ensure optimal performance.
As a specialist in botanical glasshouses, Smiemans contributed further climate optimisation measures in autumn 2025 by installing additional ventilation vents with enhanced rain functionality. These improvements help achieve better humidity control and support ideal growing conditions throughout the year.
This innovative project has already received industry recognition, winning the BTTV Award for Functional Galvanizing. Today, the new tropical glasshouse stands as a benchmark for modern botanical garden infrastructure, combining visitor experience, sustainability, and advanced climate engineering in one exceptional environment.
Our YouTube channel features a variety of videos showcasing the tropical glasshouse Flora and its opening.
On June 12, Torsten Burmester, Oberbürgermeister der Stadt Köln, and Ilse Königs of Königs Architekten officially opened the new tropical glasshouse in Cologne. The rainy weather proved exactly why these projects are important: they maximize visitor dwell time.
A landmark project in botanical architecture:
✔ ± 3,000 m² glasshouse in the heart of the Flora Botanical Garden
✔ ± 4,500 m² of high-performance insulated glass
✔ Minimal steel structure designed for maximum daylight
✔ 400 m elevated visitor route through multiple climate zones
✔ Home to 6,000 rare and near-extinct plant species
A strong example of what leading botanical gardens are aiming for today: a glasshouse that secures year-round visitor attraction while creating the right controlled climate for rare and tropical plant collections.
From tropical plantations and medicinal plants to desert landscapes and cloud forest ecosystems. This glasshouse creates a fully immersive botanical experience.