Architect Designed Conservatory on New Construction, NJ

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Jim Hewitt

Last spring Conservatory Craftsmen was honored to be specified by the Appel Design Group on a new construction home to be built in Livingston, NJ. When we received the plans we were drooling- such a beautiful home and the Conservatory looked like the crown jewel.

Conservatory Craftsmen Concept Design

But with all of this beauty came a degree if difficulty that our team was determined to overcome. The size of the room made it clear, right off the bat, that the Conservatory and all of the glorious and extremely heavy glass is going to require some major support.

Designing steel that will support a structure like this takes a considerable amount of time. Planning needs to be precise because this is the skeleton to which the room is built around.  Working closely with Appel and our engineer the frame was stamped and approved and ready for manufacture!

I love this picture, the steel lantern looks like a halo!

Hi guys!

After the steel is set or installed on site there are quality checks to assure everything is to spec. After pass we get going on the framing of the Conservatory. The Livingston conservatory is Mahogany. The exterior is painted to match the trim and the interior will receive a clear coat that will show the striking characteristics of the Mahogany.

After the Conservatory is framed we can begin the glazing process. First we carefully set each piece of glass, over 50 individual pieces on this one. That’s twice as much as most homes! The we go back over each opening to seal them in with various gasketing and trims.

Careful up there Cam!

The Livingston Conservatory is almost complete and you will have to stay tuned for final photos.

The final photography shoot with capture this very special project in all of its glory. The interior finises alone are show stopping. We plan to feature the Conservatory in various publications.

I am truly proud of my entire team. Conservatory Craftsmen has a portfolio of  some major projects but when they come up you always hold your breath a little. I am happy to report that this project was executed flawlessly from design to install. We have one happy homeowner and another gorgeous project to ad to our portfolio of work.

Posted in Conservatory Advice, Conservatory Design, Conservatory Projects, Latest News | Tagged architect conservatory, Conservatories, Custom Conservatories, New Jersey conservatory builders, residential conservatories, US Conservatory Builders | Leave a comment

Craftsmen Style Conservatory

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Jim Hewitt

Buffalo NY was booming at the turn of the 20th century. Darwin D. Martin, a young executive at the Larkin Soap Company, was pivotal in leading his company to millions of sqaure feet of warehouse expansion. When seeking out an design firm for the administration building Martin was curious about a young architect out of Chicago causing a stir in the industry.

The meeting between Frank Lloyd Wright and Martin turned into friendship that lasted over 30 years. Martin commissioned Wright to build his own home.  Home, a place Martin had been longing for since a tumultuous childhood. Martin granted Wright creative freedom and an open checkbook and so the story begins of the most substantial and highly developed of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie houses in the Eastern United States.

The story of two American innovators originally captivated me because a Conservatory was incorporated into the specifications. Typically when designing and dreaming about Conservatories night and day  images of England and classic Victorian homes come to mind. With our rich Victorian history,  decorative details and high roof pitches it only seams natural.

Conservatory at Martin home

Frank Lloyd Wright has made the Prairie style home infamous. The designs and raw materials used are completely organic. No wonder the idea of the Conservatory intrigued him. Our Conservatories, at the root of it, is a combination of a variety of natural elements light, air, wood and earth. Combined with Wrights famous ‘Tree of Life’ stained glass and a lower roof pitch and what you have is a true Craftsmen Conservatory!

Stained Glass and Martin Home

The transitional design of our Conservatories can be incorporated into any style of home. Just like Frank Lloyed Wright and his works, Conservatories and truly an American Classic.

Conservatory Craftsmen

“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.”

- Frank Lloyd Wright

Video:  Darwin Martin Conservatory

Posted in Conservatory Advice, Conservatory Topics, Latest News | Tagged commercial conservatories, Conservatories, conservatories green house, conservatories residential, conservatory design | Leave a comment

Folding Walls/ Doors

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Jim Hewitt

At Conservatory Craftsmen we offer custom folding walls, at prices far below our competition.

Once considered a luxury for commercial projects, now homeowners are taking advantage of this design option to open walls to the outdoors.

Our folding wall systems are mahogany or thermally broken aluminum. All insulated and 4 season, weather tight.

Incorporate into your Conservatory. We can build these wall systems 13′ tall and up to 50′ long.

Posted in Conservatory Accessories, Conservatory Topics, Latest News | Tagged Folding Doors, Folding Walls | Leave a comment

New Jersey Custom Mahogany Conservatory

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Jim Hewitt

In the beginning of March we were on site replacing this conservatory  in Ridgewood New Jersey.

The outcome of the project is so stunning that we wanted to share the gallery with you!

This was truly a special project with a fabulous outcome. Not only did we provide the homeowner with a show stopping conservatory we also fixed a major water problem that was affecting the entire house by getting rid of the old room. The new conservatory has been designed and specified to withstand any elements mother nature will throw at it. This room will last forever!

Click on images below for a larger view

 

Posted in Conservatory Advice, Conservatory Design, Conservatory Projects | Tagged architect conservatory, Builders Conservatory, Conservatories, conservatories custom, New Jersey conservatory builders, residential conservatories | Leave a comment

Aluminum Conservatory Special

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Conservatory Architect

How would you like to add a 12 x 12 Conservatory to your home at unprecedented savings?

This stunning English Conservatory is all aluminum construction, powdercoated a lovely brown, almost bronze and features a hip style roof.

Notice the rich beveled transom windows that take the light and transform it in many direction as the sun shines through.

This is a showroom model that boosts an all glass, insulated roof, with a roof vent for ventilation.

Built on your 24″ knee wall, the single door can be placed to your specification.

LIST PRICE: $38, 000

SPECIAL: $18,000.00 

Shipping/delivery is available. Installation by our trained installers is advised.

Contact us today as this Conservatory will move quickly!

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Orangery vs. Conservatory

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Jim Hewitt

Orangeries have become the most popular conservatory project in England today. An orangery is much like a conservatory. One deciding feature is more ‘mass’ on the wall design and less window. As opposed to the typical conservatory which strives to have little in the way of structure on the walls, and maximum amount of glass.

The orangery fits well with ‘Georgian’ architecture or homes/buildings that need more structure to give a good visual fit.

The Quenn Anne Orangery with two of my queens posing:

Orangery

The Queen Anne Orangary at Kensington Palace, London, built in 1506. Its design allowed citrus trees to be rolled out onto the terrace during good weather and rolled back into the orangary when not. The large windows were all opening doors at that time.

Move ahead in history a bit and the Orangery’s primary use is still the same but to also add space and a tie in to ones existing home.

Beginnings of a new Orangery

A recent orangery project, you will notice that part of the roof is actually solid and flat. This is like a ‘soffit’ on the roof and allows us to conceal the gutters.

 

Conservatory Windows with Traditional Framing

Today’s modern truss joists allow us to build this sort of roof and engineer it for maximum loads.

Enlarged Sill

Now, also exciting news! Open the front wall with a folding door exclusively from Conservatory Craftsmen, and you have a indoor/outdoor space.

Folding Door on an Orangery

The interior has some nice sun blocking features and attractive soffit in which accent lighting is placed. Also sound and mechanicals can hide in this soffit.

 

Glazed Conservatory Roof

A wide open space, lots of light, a true transition to the outdoor garden from your orangery.

Stunning Interior

This could be you!

Finished Orangery

 

Posted in Conservatory Design, Conservatory Topics, Latest News | Tagged architect conservatory, Builders Conservatory, Conservatories, Conservatories Glass, Orangery, residential conservatories | Leave a comment

New Jersey, Mahogany Conservatory Replacement

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Jim Hewitt

Our homeowner bought the home with the existing wooden conservatory already in place. Having been built only 15 years previous, the room was a disaster. I also add that this room was built of inferior woods, not Sepele Mahogany, as ours are.

Before Lean-To

All of the insulated glass had failed, leading us to believe that there was water getting inside the room, and Conservatory itself,  and not getting out again!

Failed Glass

And our fears were not unfounded. Once this room was removed, we found extensive rot in the windows, walls and sills.

Rotted Sill

This advance deterioration actually made the room unsafe and started to threaten the house to which it was attached.

Rotted Knee-Wall

The water from the roof was getting into the windows, not draining out and had been draining into the kneewall for years. We cannot emphasize enough that your home is no place for other companies to learn how to build a conservatory. Trust the seasoned and experienced experts at Conservatory Craftsmen.

 

Proper Kneewall

We removed the rotted knee wall and built a new one, and then flashed the sheathing in a manner that would never allow rot to occur. Our structures are self draining, and if water were to ever penetrate the system, it is immediately directed out and away from your home!

New Room

The new conservatory also sported design changes. Not only a replacement conservatory but a better designed one, complete with a front wall gable to raise the ceiling height. Also, there are leaded transom windows to match the leaded windows on the house. The custom arches on the lower windows are simulated divided lites, which if you know windows, you know means quality.

 

Glazing the Roof

This room was engineered, stamped and met the rigorous standards of the local building officials. Any Conservatory built by Conservatory Craftsmen meets engineering requirements. Many seemingly established companies have left the market recently because of their inability to meet these higher standards of design and engineering.

New Room, Complete

Every home can be graced with a quality conservatory. This happy customer knows they have received enhanced appearance and enduring quality. The next project could be yours.

 

 

Posted in Conservatory Design, Conservatory Projects | Tagged Conservatories, conservatories custom, conservatories residential, Conservatory Builders, New Jersey Conservatories, New Jersey conservatory builders, US Conservatory Builders | Leave a comment

CHRISTMAS IN THE CONSERVATORY

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Conservatory Architect

CHRISTMAS IN THE CONSERVATORY, 2011

 

This year, we decided to move the couch and side chairs out of the conservatory and move the dining table into the space for Christmas dinner.

 

Mrs. Hewitt applied her sublime decorating talents to create an elegant environment nearest to a magical Christmas gathering.

 

The table was set, and as the sun went down, the candles were lit and the family gathered in prayer and thanksgiving.

 

We want to thank all our wonderful customers, friends and suppliers who have worked with us in 2011 to make it our biggest year yet, and to bring to us the resolve to work even harder in the year 2012 as it arrives.

Thank  you all.  Jim and the family
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The Historic Hill Center, Site Photos

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Jim Hewitt

Last fall Conservatory Craftsmen completed construction on the Hill Center in Washington DC.

We wanted to share some completed shots of the Conservatory area on site!

Enjoy,

We were honored to be a part of such a historic restoration project in our Nation’s Capital and hope that we get the opportunity to work with the National Park district again!

Posted in Conservatory Projects, Conservatory Topics, Latest News | Tagged architect conservatory, Builders Conservatory, commercial, Conservatories, conservatories custom, US Conservatory Builders, Washington DC Conservatories | Leave a comment

Conservatories

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Conservatory Architect

Around the turn of the century Conservatory structures in the United States were mainly built and designed for major metropolitan markets, especially in cooler climates, for the public to enjoy and to hold exotic flower displays.

Over the last 30 years the term sunroom, solarium and conservatory have become interchangeably by the public. The beginnings of residential Conservatories were keep mostly to clients with discerning incomes in high-end residences, but now the Conservatory is and easy way of extending the home and making the most out of an underused area that anyone can enjoy a conservatory, sunroom, solarium!

Lush Conservatories

The Conservatory, combined with an effective ventilation system, make for a smart and versatile home addition, marrying house and garden without loss of light. Conservatories can be used for indoor gardens, studios, dining room and additional recreation space. A properly designed Conservatory will make a lasting investment to any home.

Conservatory Exterior

At Conservatory Craftsmen we provide all conservatory technical and conservatory design support for your project. Our Conservatories are crafted from either rich hardwood conservatories such as African Sapele conservatories or a maintenance free aluminum conservatories and installed by our master field conservatory technicians.

Posted in Conservatory Topics, Latest News | Tagged architect conservatory, Builders Conservatory, commercial conservatories, Conservatories, conservatories commercial, conservatories custom, conservatories residential, conservatory, conservatory architect, Conservatory Builders, conservatory design, conservatory designer, Conservatory Installation, Conservatory Installers, Custom Conservatories, design conservatory, designer conservatories, installation conservatories, Residential, residential conservatories, US Conservatory Builders | Leave a comment