History and ArchitectureOverviewThe Climatron conservatory at first glimpse is a striking sight. The geodesic dome rises out of the surrounding greenery, a feat of architectural technology. The Climatron was built in 1960 to replace the crumbling Palm House, which had housed the Garden's palm and cycad collection since 1914.The conservatory incorporates the principles of R. Buckminster Fuller, the inventor of the geodesic system. A geodesic dome is a type of structure shaped like a piece of a sphere and built of a network of triangles. When the Climatron opened, it was one of the world's most advanced display-research greenhouses. Developed by St. Louis architects Murphy and Mackey, it won the 1961 Reynolds Award for architectural excellence in aluminum. In 1976 it was named one of the 100 most significant architectural achievements in United States history. The StructureThe Climatron, named for its climate-control technology, stands 70 feet high and 175 feet in diameter. It encompasses a volume of 1.3 million cubic feet, and a ground surface of about 24,000 square feet (more than half an acre). The form of the building was chosen to fit the specific demands of a greenhouse. The Climatron has no interior support and no columns from floor to ceiling, allowing more light and space for plants. Instead, the weight of the dome is carried to the ground on five piers around the perimeter of the circle. The interlocking triangle design helps to distribute weight throughout the dome, allowing it to be lightweight but strong. The original outer structure was made of lightweight aluminum, which resists corrosion, lined by a plastic Plexiglas "skin" suspended below the aluminum framework.RenovationIn 1988 the greenhouse was closed for renovation. The original discolored and leaking Plexiglas skin was removed and a new aluminum and glass geodesic dome was built in its place.Each of the 2,425 panes that make up the new glass dome is made of a Saflex® plastic interlayer, manufactured by Monsanto Company, sandwiched between heat-strengthened glass. The panes are also coated with low-e film, or low-emissivity, which helps conserve energy by retaining the solar heat collected during the day for use at night. With the new dome in place, the old aluminum structure was no longer necessary. It was retained, however, for its historical value. Today the Climatron is actually a dome within a dome, the new dome standing just within the original aluminum framework. During the renovation, new heating, cooling, and ventilating systems were installed. Paths were made accessible to the disabled, and the adjacent Shoenberg Temperate House was added. During the 22 month-long renovation, the interior of the Climatron also underwent extensive landscaping changes. Major features were added, including two large waterfalls, rock and cliff landscaping, and tropical theme areas. The original clay-based soil was removed and an improved mixture ideal for tropical horticulture was put in its place. It took six hours with a bulldozer just to mix the batch of new soil. Only a few of the most important plants remained in the building during the renovation. The rest were transplanted either to holding facilities or to other botanical gardens. Replanting was finished, and a dramatically changed Climatron was re-opened in 1990. |
|||
| ~ Return to Climatron index page ~ | |||