Como Park Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Greenhouse Addition
St. Paul, MinnesotaThe addition to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory required respecting a 100 year old structure while creating a modern, successful growing and exhibit environment. The new addition includes Fern, Orchid and Bonsai rooms. There is also a Children's Garden that creates an interactive educational environment. The Bonsai Room design suggests Japanese materiality and detailing using translucent glass panels, natural steel, Ipe wood and pinned joints. Photovoltaic panels have been incorporated into the glass roof of the Fern Room, creating a dappled light for fern growth. Power from these panels is routed into the main building power supply to reduce power needs from conventional sources. Reflecting pools adjacent to the greenhouses provide cool moist air which tempers the hot greenhouse environment by natural ventilation through operable windows. Victorian Water Platters grow in the surrounding reflecting pools. The 19th century exhibit was discontinued when its heated pools were damaged. The current pools are heated in the Fall and Spring through the building's heat recovery system.