Page 31 - The Hunt - Winter 2024
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THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE 17-ACRE EXPANSION IS THE WEST CONSERVATORY, A 32,000-SQUARE-FOOT GLASS STRUCTURE THAT APPEARS TO BE FLOATING ON THE SURFACE OF A SURROUNDING POOL. CHARACTERIZED BY ASYMMETRICAL PEAKS, THE ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGN INCORPORATES ALMOST 2,000 GLASS PANELS.
Almost 15 years ago, Longwood developed its “Creating a World Apart” master plan in partnership with the
New York City-based architecture and design firms West 8 and Weiss/Manfredi. The plan carefully details an ambitious to-do list that laid the groundwork for “Longwood Reimagined.” “The last big project was
the Main Fountain Garden revitalization,” says Redman. “That set the stage for us
to install the infrastructure and pathways underground to support this project.”
The crown jewel of the 17-acre expansion is the West Conservatory, a 32,000-square-foot glass structure that appears to be floating on the surface of a surrounding pool. “There’s no other crystal palace like ours anywhere else in the world,” Redman says.
Characterized by asymmetrical peaks, the one-of-a-kind design incorporates almost 2,000 glass panels. Automated windows provide natural ventilation, the roof can open and close as the weather
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