Collaborating With Professionals

Working with Architects, Designers, and Builders

We’ve worked with many architects who want to design their client’s conservatory but recognize the challenges and artistry specific to our craft. They often produce a conservatory design, then look to Tanglewood to develop and refine their concept and to work out the construction details.  

One architect describes the approach this way: “We had clients we’d worked with before who now wanted a large conservatory design added to their family room. The clients had ideas about what they wanted in the conservatory, but did not have a specific design in mind. So, we developed a conceptual plan for the project and then contacted Tanglewood.”

“We brought in an expert because we know that conservatories are highly specialized, technical structures and their design, engineering and construction requires a unique set of skills. Sometimes, architects want to reinvent the wheel, but why reinvent the wheel when it has already been perfected?” 

It was a complex design. Working in close partnership, Tanglewood turned their concept into a conservatory design that was both elegant and buildable. “They worked out all the engineering and connection details, made suggestions and recommendations for glass types, waterproofing, windows and finishes. They engineered the conservatory and made it work without compromising our concept.” 

“Tanglewood took our design and brought it to fruition. Then they fabricated it, shipped it up to us and installed it at our client’s home,” he explained. “Our relationship with Tanglewood was very, very good. They are consummate professionals.”

TECHNICAL AND HANDS-ON SUPPORT

Sometimes the collaborative effort involves an architect who wants to take a more hands-on approach to the conservatory design – not only conceptualizing and developing the design, but being intimately involved with the many details as well. One architect designed a new home for a client that included a large conservatory. He had already produced a complete design before contacting Tanglewood and was looking for a company with specialized conservatory design experience to construct it. The architect wanted to be involved in the smallest details, changing trim profiles by fractions of inch to get just the right look. 

He relates, “Tanglewood was a terrific working partner as they have a high level of both design and construction experience and they are very much team players. They produced detailed shop drawings of our exact design. They handled all the technical matters and allowed us to modify all the details!”

Conceptual and Design Support

Tanglewood is sometimes retained by a project architect to provide the conceptual design as well as the details.

As one architect relates: “I’ve selected Tanglewood for a number of recent projects because, with Tanglewood, you get the benefit of their design staff. They have the ability to produce conservatory designs that are strikingly sympathetic to your ideas. They speak the language of ARCHITECTURE. With other companies, you’re constrained by their stock details or limited creativity.” 

He cited a recent project as an example of why he continues to work in concert with Tanglewood. “Our current job is a French Revival home. I started with an idea for the conservatory and gave it to Tanglewood. They came back with a design that matches my intent but one I would never have come up with. Their creativity and open-mindedness really benefit the client. The quality and uniqueness of their design are not something I’d have gotten through working with someone else.”