The building houses four distinct collections, each having its own requirement for a tightly-controlled plant climate. One of the greenhouses was expanded by extending the building eastward onto an adjacent embankment. The areas around the expansion were extensively landscaped to minimize the impact of the new enclosure. A new power plant with a generator and dual-boiler heating plant was included to achieve the temperature control critical to the specimens.

In addition to the collections, the building includes the potting shed and main offices and working areas for the landscape staff. The project required extensive collaboration with the horticultural staff and conservators, since the historic nature of the gardens and plantings required an approach that both restored the landmark physical plants while responding to the conservatory’s current needs.

Photography by Julian Olivas