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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Conservation of a rare nineteenth-century iron-framed curvilinear glasshouse
The early nineteenth century saw a period of rapid advances in the science and technology of horticulture. The implementation of this development lay largely in the hands of the landed gentry with wealth and resources. They also had access to a flow of information to feed and guide their ambitions. One of the most influential contributors in the first quarter of the century was John Claudius Loudon, a Scot of prodigious energy, experimenting and sharing his ideas with anyone who could help develop and carry forward his thinking. In 1817 he published Remarks on the Construction of Hothouses, advocating the use of wrought-iron glazing bars that could be bent in any direction without loss of strength, making curvilinear roofs possible. By 1830, about the time Felton Park glasshouse was built, Loudon’s ideas had been fully absorbed by the horticultural industry and had initiated a mania for building glasshouses in iron for their light and elegant appearance.
Though iron-framed structures were likely to survive longer than contemporary timber frames, very few iron glasshouses remain in the UK. Though the significance of this building has been recognised in its designation with the potting Shed as a Grade II* Listed Building, it had suffered a long period of neglect threatening irreversible decay and destruction. In 2008 English Heritage included the buildings in the North East Region Heritage at Risk Register.
The recovery of the glasshouse reflects a major effort by an enthusiastic new private owner with the support of Historic England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Country House Foundation and Northumberland County Council. A Trial Project was set up in September 2014 to explore the scope of work necessary, to inform the technical requirements of the full contract and to arrive at an affordable conservation strategy respecting equally the integrity of the iron frame and the historic glass. The main contract was completed in October 2015 and the building has returned to horticultural use.
Conservation of a rare nineteenth-century iron-framed curvilinear glasshouse
The early nineteenth century saw a period of rapid advances in the science and technology of horticulture. The implementation of this development lay largely in the hands of the landed gentry with wealth and resources. They also had access to a flow of information to feed and guide their ambitions. One of the most influential contributors in the first quarter of the century was John Claudius Loudon, a Scot of prodigious energy, experimenting and sharing his ideas with anyone who could help develop and carry forward his thinking. In 1817 he published Remarks on the Construction of Hothouses, advocating the use of wrought-iron glazing bars that could be bent in any direction without loss of strength, making curvilinear roofs possible. By 1830, about the time Felton Park glasshouse was built, Loudon’s ideas had been fully absorbed by the horticultural industry and had initiated a mania for building glasshouses in iron for their light and elegant appearance.
Though iron-framed structures were likely to survive longer than contemporary timber frames, very few iron glasshouses remain in the UK. Though the significance of this building has been recognised in its designation with the potting Shed as a Grade II* Listed Building, it had suffered a long period of neglect threatening irreversible decay and destruction. In 2008 English Heritage included the buildings in the North East Region Heritage at Risk Register.
The recovery of the glasshouse reflects a major effort by an enthusiastic new private owner with the support of Historic England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Country House Foundation and Northumberland County Council. A Trial Project was set up in September 2014 to explore the scope of work necessary, to inform the technical requirements of the full contract and to arrive at an affordable conservation strategy respecting equally the integrity of the iron frame and the historic glass. The main contract was completed in October 2015 and the building has returned to horticultural use.
Conservation of a rare nineteenth-century iron-framed curvilinear glasshouse
Dower, Robin (author)
Journal of Architectural Conservation ; 22 ; 199-221
2016-09-01
23 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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