Experiencing Natural + Built

Environments The Conservatory

of Flowers

Meagan McTernan

The Conservatory of Flowers is an elaborate Victorian green house located in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California.

Completed in 1878, it is the oldest building in the park, and was one of the first public conservatories in the country.

It was built in order to bring a natural environment into urban San Franciscan life, and to display unique plant species that are otherwise unavailable in this climate.

History

The structure of the conservatory primarily consists of a wooden skeleton and glass walls.

Entering the Conservatory

The main entrance to the building is bright and welcoming, and leads you into the room with the highest ceilings.

This creates a dramatic and exciting experience that urges the viewer to explore more of this building.

The indoor climate is kept warm and humid to create a tropical environment for the exotic plants housed in the conservatory. To keep air circulating, fans are hung from many of the ceilings.

Because this room has the highest ceiling, it also houses the tallest plants, which adds to the drama of the entrance.

In the room to the left, different species of vines and ivy cling to a wooden trellis in the center of the room.

I noticed the trellis multitasking as a unique viewfinder and room divider for what would be a very large space.

This is the first of many resting places I encountered on my journey through the green house. Benches are placed periodically on the paths to

create a quiet place of serenity, where visitors can sit and enjoy this unique environment.

Curvilinear lines are a prevalent aspect in the structure of this building, almost all of the walls are formed by large, arching wooden ribs.

The glass is treated with a white glaze, which allows for natural light to flood the space, while also dividing the interior from the outside world. This separation from the outside, in combination with all of the lush plant growth, gives the interior a feeling of a unique and magical oasis.

Exploring the conservatory awakens

every physical sense. From the fragrances of

the lush plants and flowers, to the uniquely heavy air that fills your

lungs, and the dewy moisture that hangs on

every thing, you are constantly filled with a

feeling of separation from the outside.

Most people walking through the conservatory

remain quiet, as though walking through a

sanctuary.

Throughout the paths, curving stop off points are

created to encourage visitors to take a moment

and enjoy the plentiful views.

The entire interior space is speckled with bright colors, as unique species of blooming flowers hang nearly everywhere.

This mossy and rusted valve shows the extent of which moisture and plant life infest almost every part of this place.

Unique details are everywhere in the conservatory. These windows line the lowest parts of the walls, illuminating the

pathways with natural light.

Even the grout on the windowpanes shows

signs of life.

This patterned screen covers the air vents and heating units, and also adds one more detail to this special place.

Intricate white line work is everywhere, and

contrasts beautifully with the lush dark

greens of the jungle plants.

My favorite room in the conservatory housed a large pond covered in floating water lillies.

This was also the last part of my journey through The Conservatory of Flowers.