SEVEN ORCHIDS
No new construction, but a complete renovation of an existing greenhouse
Why build a new greenhouse when an existing one can just as easily be tailored entirely to your requirements and this solution turns out to be far less expensive? This is a question that is becoming increasingly topical among growers. New building sites are scarce and permit procedures take forever to complete. Seven Orchids is one of the growers who decided to opt for the practical variant. The inside of an existing greenhouse for the cultivation of sweet peppers spanning almost six hectares was thoroughly renovated. Holland Scherming installed screening systems for each of the grower’s 24 compartments, in which at least three-quarters of the existing components were reused.
New building sites are scarce and permit procedures take forever to complete.
Large-scale renovation project
Seven and a half hectares: a surface area that makes Seven Orchids the largest grower of cymbidium orchids in the country. The flowers, also known as boat orchids, are grown at two sites: in Bergschenhoek and – as from 2019 – in Bleiswijk. In the latter greenhouse, there is nothing left to remind you of its former life, when sweet peppers were grown here for an entire decade. The greenhouse was still up-to-date, but not suitable for the demanding requirements imposed on the cultivation of boat orchids. Therefore, it was completely emptied for a rigorous conversion. Splitting up the screening systems was part of the extensive renovation project.
Reusing existing components
New interior walls were installed in the greenhouse, which was originally one large space, dividing it into twelve sections. The screening systems were also redistributed, from 9 to 24 units. The ‘renovation’ actually amounted to an entirely new system – with retention of almost all existing components. Sales Manager Barry Roessen: ‘Those components were not supplied by us originally, but by another supplier of screens. However, we considered it a waste of capital to replace components that were still in good condition with our own. In the end, almost eighty per cent of all existing components were reused.’
Screen technology
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Smart Spring system for a smaller fabric package
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Screen fabric
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Grooved roll-up drum for a longer service life
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Smooth high-quality stainless steel cable
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Recycled components
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Recycled components
Consultation with a greenhouse builder
In close consultation with greenhouse builder Technokas, who was responsible for the heating system and further modifications made to the greenhouse, the greenhouse was prepared for the ‘new’ screening system. It consists of double screens (an energy and a sun shield) with the best possible sealing system to prevent any leakage of energy. New roll-up siding was installed on all sides of the greenhouse. The result is a ‘refurbished’ greenhouse that meets all modern requirements and was realised not only faster but also more economically. That makes renovation an attractive option. Particularly if you are engaging a practically minded installer like Holland Scherming!
