There are many different ways to make a striking and unique impression with a conservatory build, from the harmony of traditional conservatories to designs that are far more striking, modern, and work well with the post-structuralist nature of many dream houses.
Because of this broad scope, there are a lot of conservatories around the world to draw inspiration from, ranging from exemplars of the golden age of Victorian conservatories and orangeries to striking explorations of the form.
Here are some of the most unique and unusual conservatories from around the world and why they can be inspiring.
Kew Gardens
The site of the largest Victorian glasshouse still in existence and one of the first large-scale wrought iron structures of any kind, Kew Gardens is an exemplar of Victorian conservatory construction and along with the sadly-lost Crystal Palace inspires many conservatories to this day.
Specifically, there are two main conservatories that date from the mid-19th Century and still extract awe from the millions who visit the botanical gardens each year.
The distinctive curves of the Palm House, as well as the sheer scale of the Temperate House, have not only become home to one of the most diverse collections of plants in the world but also has been the spark for generations of people to own a conservatory that evokes its mystique.
Gardens By The Bay
Based in Central Singapore, the Gardens by the Bay are not only a unique source of conservatory design inspiration due to their striking curved dome structures, lack of column support and energy-efficient properties, but also because they turn the concept of a conservatory on its head.
Traditionally, conservatories such as the one at Kew Gardens are designed to be orangeries that create a warmer environment that allows tropical plants to survive and thrive despite the typical weather that Great Britain is known for.
Because Singapore is already in a region with a humid and particularly warm climate, the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are instead designed to provide a cooler, more temperate climate to support plant life that would otherwise struggle with the heat alongside the world’s second-biggest indoor waterfall.
This includes the tropical mountainous conditions of Cloud Forest and the more Mediterranean climate set by the Flower Dome. Both emphasise just how flexible the conservatory can be not only in terms of design but in terms of purpose.
Muttart Conservatory
Based in the Canadian province of Alberta, Muttart Conservatory has become a landmark of Edmonton and it is difficult to find a more striking conservatory in the world in terms of design.
This set of four glass pyramids around a central core has been home to a wide range of plants, aided by the rotating seasonal collections found in the fourth conservatory.
Most famously, it was home to an amorphophallus titanum, otherwise known as the corpse flower, which made headlines when it bloomed in 2013.
The other three pyramids house a temperate climate, an arid climate and a tropical climate respectively, the latter coming complete with a substantial waterfall.