Orangeries and Conservatories Through the Centuries

How did the Orangery acquire its name, Orangeries came about in the same way that Conservatories, Green houses and Glass Houses, they all stem from the common aim to Propagate plants for the reason of, developing medicines from certain plant species, the need and enjoyment of fruits, also the commercial value of being able to grow vegetables all year round. But the actual name came from its use, which was to house Orange Trees through the cold winters, which would have killed them if no protection were available. This need created the development of a construction that would help protect the plants from the harsh winters of northern European countries. Possible the earliest recorded use of protective structures was around 30 A.D. The Roman Emperor Tiberius. This was achieved by using tiny translucent sheets of mica to form a ‘Specularium’ (Glass had not been Discovered at this time). This could possibly have been the first Greenhouse, this incredible effort was for the cultivation of Cucumbers, as the Emperor Tiberius either had been instructed by his physicians to eat a cucumber each day to aid his digestion, or it was merely because he enjoyed the fruit its not clear.

 16^TH Century The Earliest Orangeries

From the early attempts for protecting plants, there have been many influences that have shaped the construction we now appreciate as Orangeries, the earliest example of an Orangery documented is the Padua Orangery in Italy in the year 1545, although this is possibly the first orangery that can be found, it was still very basic compared with the Orangeries to come. Heating was the main problem for these Orangeries most had to be covered with wooden shutters and sheets then surrounded with straw and needed the added heat from small open fires that had to be lit to keep the severe northern winters at bay.

 17^TH Century Constructed Orangeries

One of the main reasons that Conservatories and Orangeries could be constructed was the advance in glass manufacturing techniques,  the use of glass was found to have started around 3500 B.C. in the form of glazes for pots and the fashioning of glass beads, around 1500 B.C. the first glass vases were developed, this went on to many sorts of glass techniques through time,  When the window tax came into force in 1696 the status of windows was increased, this helped fuel the construction of glass structures for the aristocracy. This then helped elevate the Conservatory And Orangeries into a sign of Position, which carried it through to the abolition of the tax in 1861.  Although in England Orangeries were at times the prefered Follie of the Aristocracy, they were not that well designed or constructed, Heating was still the main concern. But the French Aristocracy had their own ideas, the Orangery at the Palace of the Louvre, 1617 started the Architectural design aspect that produced many beautiful examples that struggle to find their equals today.

18^TH Century Designed Orangeries

 Around the mid 18^TH Century the Industrial Revolution that swept across Europe and England, brought about fundamental changes in the manufacturing bases in all countries, this obviously had a great influence on the Glass manufacturers of the time, making glass more acceptable as a building product and with the dawn of mass production, which brought the cost of the material down, so it could be used more liberally. Beautiful gardens of the wealthy and well positioned were the real driving force of the Orangery, which acquired its name from early aristocrats, where architecturally designed gardens had many potted and tubbed shrubs and trees, these needed to be housed over winter, to protect there delicate natures, the most prolific of these became the Orange trees and secondly the Lime trees, mainly for there sent and fruit.

 19^th Century greatest Orangeries

 The window tax that earlier came into being was abolished in 1861.This was the Century that sore some of the most impressive examples of Conservatories and Orangeries Constructed by the most prestigious of Architects and Designers, one of the most well known was Joseph Paxton one of his greatest was the Crystal palace which was built to house the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park 1851 this was and still is one of the greatest Constructions ever seen.These included the Conservatory of flowers 1878, another great examples of Orangeries was the National Botanical Gardens of Belgium 1860.The "great conservatory" at Chatsworth House was an orangery and glasshouse of monumental proportions.

 20^TH Century Interest in Orangeries

 This was the Century that sore the upsurge of Interest in Conservatories, and Orangeries that were now available, with all the advances within the construction and glass industries. One of the most sort after Conservatories were Hardwood Conservatories even though plastic had without doubt found it’s own hold upon the market, but the later part of this Century has most definitely seen an upturn in the interest in more modern designed Orangeries

 21^ST Century has only just begun

Orangeries of today have been developed considerably since their beginnings, they are one of the most Beautiful and Exciting Additions that can be added to any home, they add such a unique style of construction, that adds such luxury and beauty that once you’ve seen and sat in one you will marvel at its beauty and only think of where and how you can fit one on your own home. The latest addition to the History of Conservatories and Orangeries is the Phipps Conservatory the most energy efficient of Constructions; it is so large it has 1800 feet of eco tube buried below for its own bio heat source. From the Roman Emperor Tiberius growing Cucumbers to the Modern day Hardwood Conservatories and Orangeries, now being more for the homeowners pleasure as much as cultivating plant species, there have been some amazing constructions, for example Kew Gardens, The Orangery in Kuskovo Moscow, and the Crystal Palace. Now the more discerning, who wish to enjoy the shear elegance and beauty, That Orangeries and Hardwood Conservatories can add to their homes.With the Advances in modern glass design and manufacturing processes, which enables these constructions to truly be used all year round. For that extra living space that links home to garden with a truly all year round living space. This addition, will add, not only value, to there homes, but will install a touch of elegance that all will Envy and Enjoy.

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