The Conservatory
A Brief History of Conservatories
and Garden Rooms
The Conservatory first started to gain mass popularity during the Victorian era of 19th Century Europe. The British origins appear to have been based on ideas borrowed from the Roman Empire where attempts were made to construct buildings that let in light but kept out the cold, by using sheets of Mica, instead of glass. These ideas were taken and modified to suit the new cultivation of tropical fruit that had become prevalent throughout Europe.
"New glazing methods and structural improvements make the Garden Conservatory
a more permanent extension "
This growing pastime appears to have been the driving force for conservatories, or orangeries as they were more commonly known throughout the 18th century. The popularity intensified after the construction of the Crystal Palace in 1851, with the middle classes now looking to recreate scaled versions of the great glass house built for the exhibition. In time, the role of the conservatory grew, with winter plants being relocated during the summer months and the newly created space being used for social gatherings, similar to the role of the many conservatories today.
The advances in technology starting in the 1970’s and culminating today, have sealed the conservatories fate, with new glazing methods and structural improvements make the garden conservatory a more permanent extension to the home.
