Q & A With Alan Stein, Founder
Tell me about the origins of the conservatory
- or the orangerie as it was once called.
Conservatories have a rich history, going
back to the days when the wealthy families of Victorian Europe
would travel the world and bring back specimens of plants and
trees - lemon and orange trees were commonly brought back, as
were pineapple trees and specimens of rare plants and seedlings
from the Mediterranean, West Indies and India. They needed warm
climates to survive the colder months, so the idea of a glass-enclosed
conservatory was developed.
Worldwide, where is the conservatory most
popular?
The early days of the conservatory began
in Europe - primarily in Europe. That is where you'll find the
majority of conservatories today, either renovations of existing
glasshouses or construction of new conservatories. I've found
that conservatories are to England what screen porches and decks
are here in the U.S.
What about residential conservatories in the
U.S.?
In the U.S., conservatories began a slow
revival in the 1970s - around the time insulated glass became
available - and are now beginning to increase in popularity.
In the 70s and 80s some manufacturers needed to standardize
their product to stay in business and turned to pre-fabricated
sunrooms as their main product. On the higher end, custom-designed
and custom made conservatories such as the ones we create at
Tanglewood started to gain in popularity in the past 10 years.
In fact, more custom conservatories are being built in the U.S.
than any other country, largely because Americans have the money
and the climate is conducive.
What are some of the trends you are seeing
in conservatories?
They are certainly gaining in popularity
and homeowners are asking for larger spaces compared to the
conservatories designed 10 years ago. A conservatory off the
kitchen is the most popular location in the house.
What are people doing with their conservatories?
For what purpose are they built?
Our clients initially create their conservatories
for a specific purpose - as a swimming pool room or a music
room, for example - but it quickly becomes the room in the house
where they spend most of their time, and more of our clients
are incorporating plants and gardens, sort of a return to the
origin of the conservatory. Our business is divided evenly between
conservatories designed to blend with existing homes and conservatories
that are part of the plans for a new home construction.
What goes into the design of a conservatory?
How long does it take to complete?
A great conservatory design begins with the
client - we listen to their desires, ideas feelings and needs.
While working together, the client begins to see their dreams
become reality as the architectural process unfolds and the
conservatory becomes uniquely theirs. Each conservatory starts
with a clean sheet of paper and fresh ideas; we don't offer
standard 'modules' or 'kits.' Design to completion typically
takes 9 to 12 months.
How difficult is it to create a structure
that seems to be made primarily of glass?
It begins with the fact that no two Tanglewood
conservatories are alike - there is no standard formula, so
while difficult, it is a challenge that we look forward to every
day. The key to the design is structural engineering - beginning
with how to support the roof with all the glass that goes into
a conservatory. Also, everything in a well-designed conservatory
is hidden, such as electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning
ductwork, weather-stripping and flashing.
What about special materials and technologies
used to create your conservatories?
We are committed to making the best conservatories
in the world, and that means using the finest products available,
such as Honduras Mahogany - the highest grade available. If
we can't purchase the level of quality we're looking for, our
craftsmen will make it right here in our plant in Denton, Maryland.
For example, rather than buy windows and doors, we now make
them. Our craftsmen create hardware that is authentic to the
period but easy to operate and that opens and closes doors and
windows properly. Soon we will be installing a special paint
system that is being imported from Italy as well as making our
own glass.
Tell me about your background and the origins
of Tanglewood Conservatories.
I like to work with my hands, and I'm a woodworker
from way back. I did carpentry and built houses before I took
up a career in traditional architecture. I first became enamored
with these glass wonders while studying and traveling abroad.
No other U.S.-based company built conservatories with this level
of quality - they are mostly in Great Britain - so I founded
Tanglewood Conservatories with the goal of combining the graceful
romanticism of traditional Nineteenth Century glass architecture
with state-of-the-art technology and master craftsmanship.
How many employees do you have and what is
their expertise?
We have 25 employees here on Maryland's Eastern
Shore. This is a proud, self-reliant workforce who can work
wood with style. Their kin built wood ships and oystering boats
- skipjacks - for use on the Chesapeake Bay for over a hundred
years. In a sense then, the team was waiting for Tanglewood
to arrive when we relocated from the Washington D.C. area in
1997. Every conservatory is different. It's really a challenge.
I realize now that working for Tanglewood gives these men and
women the opportunity to bring unique and challenging creations
to life.
How does the process begin?
With each conservatory project tailored to
its client's site, imagination and architecture, we 'throw away
the mold' every day. We begin by scheduling a visit to the client's
home to listen and learn about their lifestyle and passions.
From that, we move to the blueprint stage where highly detailed
drawings of a one-of-a-kind conservatory are made.
What is the final step in the process?
Our production team completely pre-builds
each conservatory in our shop. Once it is complete, the team
disassembles and ships it to the client's home via 'air-ride'
suspension trucks. Carefully packed and wrapped to avoid damage,
the conservatory travels nonstop to the site under lock and
key. We maintain a team of skilled craftsmen who travel worldwide
to install and service our conservatories. Some areas have a
local Tanglewood representative and installation team. With
complex projects, craftsmen from our production facility themselves
often join the installation team.
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