Simple in its detail, nothing distracts from the conversation between its parts. Not so much a “whole” which is greater than “the sum of its parts”, but a conversation between three equal members of a well- behaved family. It represents a group presentation. The sensitively positioned pieces are not in competition with each other, an achievement much more difficult than it might seem.

Working in close collaboration with the team of Landscape Architect Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. and Joe Jannopoulo of Synergy Building Corp. Tanglewood led the Design Development process for the conservatory presenting options and alternatives of varying proportions and details. In the end, a unique project was created.

The conservatory is one of three focal pieces in the Pagoda Garden project conceptually designed by Gilkey and Jannopoulo. The project consists of different vignettes or “rooms” that present unique aspects of Asian design — a grouping of authentic Chinese Pagodas, a one of a kind koi pond, and a greenhouse in the conservatory style.

As described recently in Garden Design, “…the clients originally requested a greenhouse, but during the design process the focus was changed to a true conservatory built over an enormous 40,000 gallon underground cistern. The cistern collects rainwater that is piped into the irrigation. This conservatory houses not only tropical plants but exquisite custom art work that offers a comfortable protected structure for intimate gatherings during inclement weather.” Many of the tropical plants will be moved to this naturalistic indoor environment for the winter months. “It’s kept at 68 to 74 degrees at all time,” says Gilkey. “We designed a green living wall to hide the air conditioning units, then added five foot square panels of etched painted glass.”