Verrière / Catalogue / Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory

🇺🇸United States·Open to the public; designated a Denver historic landmark since 1973

Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory

Denver, Colorado

Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, Denver, Colorado
Photo : Bigmacthealmanac — CC BY-SA 4.0
Year
1966
Architect
Victor Hornbein et Ed White Jr.
Style
Modernist, interlocking concrete arches and faceted plexiglass panels
Dimensions
More than 1,000 m² of tropical vegetation over two levels
« Its interlocking concrete arches form a petrified forest before visitors even step inside the tropical conservatory. »

Designed by Denver architects Victor Hornbein and Ed White Jr., the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory opened in 1966 at Denver Botanic Gardens. Its modernist silhouette, made of tall interlocking concrete arches set with faceted plexiglass panels, stands in sharp contrast to classic Victorian greenhouses. More than 1,000 m² of tropical and subtropical plants spread out around a two-story artificial banyan tree; now an architectural icon of Denver, it was designated a historic landmark as early as 1973.

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39.73° N, 104.96° W

Further reading
The Glass House
John Hix
The definitive academic history of greenhouse architecture, from the Victorian era to modern structures.
 Glass Houses
May Woods & Arete Swartz Warren
A richly illustrated survey of greenhouses, orangeries and winter gardens around the world.
 The Crystal Palace
Patrick Beaver
The full story of the project that invented large-scale glass architecture.
 Greenhouse Gardener's Companion
Shane Smith
The practical guide for anyone dreaming of building their own greenhouse at home.

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