The Orangery
Traditional and contemporary
Orangery design from the Atrium Range
Similar to a conservatory but designed with a greater compliment of masonry and timber,
the orangery, as the name suggest was
originally created to house exotic fruits
Although its original popularity is believed to be rooted in 15th century Italy and France, the classic orangery design soon found favour among the burgeoning rich and aristocracy of 18th century England. Similar to a conservatory but designed with a greater compliment of masonry and timber, the orangery, as the name suggest was originally created to house the exotic fruits and plants brought back from the warmer Mediterranean climates. This tended to mean that the front of the building was always designed to face south, so many of the older orangeries were separated from the main house to assist in the cultivation of the citrus and more exotic plant life. As glass was still blown by hand, the largest flat pieces that could be made would have been up to 10 x 15 inches, so glass was set into timber framing and a masonry structure. As plants were grown in tubs so that they could be moved outside in summer, the entrance doors to the orangeries tended to be constructed higher than one would normally expect, with either a raised arch or higher square frame. It was in overcoming these practical issues that created the classic orangery design we are all familiar with today.
As time grew, the orangery became as much an entertaining room as an environment for plants with some orangeries constructed during the 19th century having sophisticated underfloor heating systems and being attached to the main house.
