The West Conservatory at Longwood Gardens

Emerging from the hills of the Brandywine Valley, Longwood Gardens' 32,000-square-foot West Conservatory sits atop a topographically dramatic ridge and hovers over a rectangular pool of water. The Conservatory’s crystalline silhouette, doubled by its reflection in the water, also amplifies the surrounding landscape’s impact. The pleated and undulating glass roof reconciles the legacy of the Lord & Burnham production greenhouses while inside, a unique garden under glass evokes the character of the Mediterranean. The architects were inspired by the sense of discovery and innovation that are defining signatures of Longwood Gardens. The pleated roof, branching columns, and tapered perspectives extend the marriage of architecture and horticulture that is intrinsic to Longwood's identity. Supported by a series of curved frames, the West Conservatory is a living, breathing building that integrates passive systems for thermal regulation, including operable windows and shutters, automated shades, a thermal blanket, earth ducts, and a geothermal ground source heat pump system.