Blenheim Palace is undergoing a £2 million upgrade on its bespoke orangery to help the historical building reach carbon neutrality over the next few years.
The glass ceiling at the 18th Century orangery will be replaced with a timber and slate one, which is thought to replicate Sir John Vanbrugh’s original design.
Head of built heritage at Blenheim Palace Kelly Whitton said the roof is now being replaced to what historians believe to be the original form from previous research and evidence.
“The 19th Century glass roof has come to the end of its life, and it is time to make a serious change,” Ms Whitton said.
She commented that the decision to fit it with slate not only celebrates the original design, but enables the palace to reduce its carbon footprint.
It is thought that the building’s initial slate roof had been replaced with glass, as a result of the popularity of Crystal Palace in London, designed by Joseph Paxton, which was built in Hyde Park in 1851.
However, Ms Whitton stated: “Slate combined with modern insulation will be a far more effective insulator than glass, saving energy and helping Blenheim reach its green goals.”
The new roof will prevent heat escaping in the winter, reducing the site’s reliance on heating.
It will also prevent too much sunlight entering the orangery during the hottest months.
This will mean the site does not have to use too much air conditioning to cool the building so it is a comfortable place for visitors at the orangery, which is now used as a restaurant.
In the past, it has operated as a theatre, art gallery, events space and office, as well as traditionally being used as a greenhouse for citrus fruit, as its name suggests.
Orangeries were added to many stately homes in the 1700s, as they became a status symbol for riches among the wealthiest.
However, the 4th Duke transformed the orangery into a theatre to enable his eight children to put on plays and performances to a 200-person strong audience.
This upgrade is thought to be the first of its kind on a Grade-1 listed building.
Head of Historic Building Climate Change Adaptation at Historic England Morwenna Slade stated: “We believe heritage is part of the solution [of climate change] and continued use and reuse of existing buildings is fundamental to reducing both embodied and in use carbon emissions.”
She added that the plans to update the traditional orangery are “commendable”, as they are raising awareness of climate resilience at the same time as being sympathetic to the historical design.
The World Heritage Site is maintained thanks to admission tickets, with adults paying £35 to visit the palace, park and gardens for a year.
A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £90, which includes admission to the walled garden, formal gardens, park and palace state rooms.
Visitors heading to Blenheim Palace this summer will not be able to see the changes yet, but the work is expected to be complete in autumn 2023.
