Planning & Design

EACH TANGLEWOOD PROJECT begins with a clean sheet of paper, fresh ideas, inspiration from around the world, and YOU. 

The design of a conservatory is highly personal, so we approach each project individually. We listen. We talk.  We study the architecture of your home and we learn about you. We’ll ask many questions, such as; What do you like about your home? What would you change? What appeals to you about the idea of a conservatory? How will your new conservatory be used? 

“The design of the conservatory evolved in a rather wholistic way. It took the entire house into consideration and our home became so much more livable.”
—

R. Wright

The answers to these simple questions become the foundation for the design of your new conservatory.

The process is interactive and collaborative. Many of our best ideas come as we work together. Our ability to create extraordinary designs that reflect your vision and the things that are important to you is our strength. If you already have an architect, we can work side by side with them. Our skill is a specialty and we bring many years of experience in conservatory design and construction to the team.

DESIGN PROCESS

Tanglewood’s unique Project Definition Process leads you through well-defined steps that assist you in making decisions regarding both design and budget. Throughout the process, we address many questions you might have, such as; How will Tanglewood work with your architect and general contractor? Can the room be used year-round? How long will it take to build the conservatory? Who will put it up?

There are often questions about heating and cooling the conservatory, about building permits and technical issues such as engineering. 

Production Drawings

Once consensus on the final design and budget is reached, we begin work on the shop drawings, or production “blueprints”. These are the detailed drawings our team uses to build your conservatory. Your general contractor will also use our shop drawings to prepare the building foundations and other site work so that we can properly install the conservatory when it arrives at your home. 

Perhaps most exciting, however, the shop drawings allow you to see your conservatory design take shape—up close. In them, you will see all the architectural features and intricate details of your dream room—from French doors to finials—and they’ll help you finalize your selections.  At this point, we review your choices of items, such as stained or bevelled art glass, shading systems, window and door hardware, speciality finishes and high-performance glass. 

With completed shop drawings in hand, we meet with you for a final review and approval. Members of your design and building team (an architect, general contractor, or designer, if you have them) are asked to participate.

As conservatory specialists, we understand that everyone on your team will look to Tanglewood for guidance. Our extensive experience in designing and building conservatories throughout the world allows us to anticipate questions and proactively assist the other professionals involved in your project. 

In our Shop

Once the shop drawings are complete and approved, Tanglewood’s production team begins to build. We hand craft and assemble the parts and pieces that will become your conservatory. Our craft team has decades of experience building custom conservatories out of wood, steel and glass.

As the work in our shop proceeds, Tanglewood team members will often visit your home to ensure that the building foundation and other site conditions have been properly prepared and to make any final adjustments.

Visiting Us

Consider this an invitation! When you visit, and we hope you will, you’ll see firsthand the numerous unique projects in progress and meet the skilled people that make up the Tanglewood team. If your conservatory is in production, you will be able to touch the parts, see the details and stand inside your future room!

Tanglewood is located on the Chesapeake Bay’s beautiful Eastern Shore and is close to the historic towns of Annapolis, Easton, and Oxford, Maryland, and the renowned Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels. Steeped in the traditions of early American life, Tanglewood’s homeland offers abundant education and recreational opportunities. The area is well known for its historic sites, wildlife preserves and scenic waterways—as well as some of the finest seafood restaurants in the world. 

If a visit is not possible, we’ll keep you abreast of the progress of your conservatory. We’ll send you e-mails with photographs, and make sure you are informed every step of the way.

At Your Home

Tanglewood’s production teams build each conservatory in our workshop to ensure that it will fit perfectly when constructed at your home. Once work is finished, we disassemble and transport it to your home. Carefully packed and wrapped to avoid damage, your conservatory travels nonstop under lock and key. 

Tanglewood maintains its own teams of skilled craftspeople who travel internationally to install and service our conservatories. Often, artisans from our production facility join the installation team. Our passion for the beautiful rooms we create and the relationships we build will be evident in your finished conservatory for years to come.