New York Botanical Garden Conservatory
All Work | New York Botanical Garden Conservatory, Bronx, New York
New York Botanical Garden Conservatory
Bronx, New York
Scope
Built in 1902 to a design by the ‘glasshouse’ firm of Lord & Burnham, the Enid Haupt Conservatory is widely acknowledged to be the best example in the United States of the Crystal Palace glass-and-steel school of design, and is an individual New York City Landmark. A major renovation in the mid-1990s addressed the exterior envelope and operational issues; however, recent advances in climate control, power distribution, and changes in event programming led the Garden to invest in major systems upgrades. JHPArchitects PC led a multi-disciplinary team, including mechanical and structural engineers, to design a minimally invasive project that would dramatically improve environmental performance and efficiency while maintaining the Garden’s defining visitor experience.
The New York Botanical Garden engaged JHPA, Inc to assist in planning a capital improvements project for the Conservatory, the crown jewel of the Garden, which hosts many high-profile special exhibits, fund-raisers, and holiday events. The intent of the project was to address the needs of the numerous departments that operate in the Conservatory, while respecting the Garden’s main mission of education and plant exhibition.
During the design process, serious deficiencies were discovered in a heavily traversed floor system that connects important parts of the building; JHPArchitects PC and the structural engineer, Arup, worked closely to design a new integral concrete slab system that would restore structural integrity, resolve numerous leak issues, and ensure trouble-free performance for decades to come. Ultimately, this unique project was completed in time and on budget for the next major exhibition.