Modern Conservatories: Embracing Contemporary Splendor

modern orangeries | exterior view with steel

Imagine stepping into a beautiful glass jewel, where sleek, clean lines converge to create a symphony of minimalist beauty. Every element is meticulously crafted, exuding a sense of refined simplicity that captivates the eye and calms the soul.

 In the ever-evolving world of architecture and design, modern conservatories have emerged as exquisite marvels that seamlessly blend the beauty of nature with the comforts of contemporary living. These architectural gems represent a harmonious convergence of classic conservatory aesthetics and cutting-edge technology, offering a sanctuary where the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors blur into a symphony of light, space, and nature. 

Modern Conservatories & Orangeries: Simplicity as an Art Form

One of the things we appreciate about contemporary design is it embraces minimalistic elements, conveys a subtle sophistication, and plays on textures and clean lines to transform a room into an art form itself – and when you pair those elements with an abundance of natural light moving about the room, it creates a symphony.

Modern conservatories and orangeries are often used as sanctuaries where their tranquil atmosphere draws people to their presence. When working with our clients and partners on designing their conservatories, it is a fun, collaborative process that allows our clients to dream and embed a piece of themselves into the architecture of the room.

Modern Steel Orangery

Take this Modern Steel Orangery for example. Created in partnership with Clites Architects PC, Fritz & Gignoux Landscape Architects, and Horizon Builders, the family spoke of a sunroom with a “grand star-shaped display of light gracefully beaming through the roof”. To add to the elegance of the main house and seamlessly become part of the landscape, the design intent was to create an orangery with clean lines, blend with the interior of the house, could be easily opened up to the outdoors for entertaining, and has a subtle but tastefully integrated art feature that would create this exciting light movement the clients were looking for.

“It began as just a flat glass pane in a starburst shape and then we separated it into a cluster of stars as if they were in a constellation. Then we decided to raise it up into a three-dimensional form with undulating planes of glass. It became a very complex geometric shape at that point.” 

Clites Architects PC

 The main challenge with the design was how to minimize the amount of steel framing required to support the intricate shape: “We wanted the skylight to be like a crystalline glass jewel in a minimalist setting and did not want the heavy steel framing that we thought would be required.”

To achieve this minimalist setting, Tanglewood’s unique solution was to eliminate all steel framing members at the joints of the glass panels. The design used a decorative steel armature to support the form to keep the joints between the glass panels free from the steel structure, producing a multi-faceted jewel-like sculpture. Paired with the full-height folding steel doors also supplied by Tanglewood, the doors completely open up on two sides to create an effortless merge between the indoors and outdoors.

modern orangeries | interior view skylight

“THE ROOM IS LIKE A MAGNET. WHENEVER PEOPLE COME INTO OUR HOME, THEY HEAD RIGHT FOR THE CONSERVATORY!”

HOMEOWNER

Whether freestanding structures or graceful extensions to existing homes, conservatories have redefined the way we perceive and interact with the surrounding environment of our homes. Beyond their functional attributes, modern conservatory designs captivate with their unique aesthetics. Sleek lines, minimalist frameworks, and clean-cut materials accentuate the architectural purity of these spaces, allowing the surrounding nature to take center stage. Be it a lush garden, a tranquil lake, or an urban skyline, the conservatory serves as a picturesque frame that allows inhabitants to savor nature’s ever-changing artistry.