Connecticut River Conservatory
FAA designed this Conservatory Addition to a house on a bluff overlooking the Connecticut River. The 240 s.f. SW-facing addition to a 1930’s 4,700 s.f. home creates a visual dialogue with the river. Paying homage to the existing home’s Tudor Style; the integrated expansion serves to enhance the picturesque quality of the architecture. The stone base grows out of the adjacent walls, embracing the new form and the stone embedded stucco face with half-timbering relates to the adjacent gables. Cascading from the steep gable, the new slate shed roof evolves into a radial pattern.
This Conservatory offers an intimate space for relaxing and socializing. The open ceiling serves as a direct response to the roof geometry, celebrated as a sculptural form. The multi-directional, low-E double glazed windows provide generous views up and down the river, as well as to the pastoral fields. Additionally, they accommodate both natural daylighting and ventilation. A closed-cell spray polyurethane foam insulation system provides R-21 in the walls and R-37 in the roof. 2” extruded polystyrene board insulation provides R-10 below the concrete slab. Furthermore, a geothermal system efficiently accommodates the heating and cooling requirements and rotating double fans help to circulate the air.
This Conservatory offers an intimate space for relaxing and socializing. The open ceiling serves as a direct response to the roof geometry, celebrated as a sculptural form. The multi-directional, low-E double glazed windows provide generous views up and down the river, as well as to the pastoral fields. Additionally, they accommodate both natural daylighting and ventilation. A closed-cell spray polyurethane foam insulation system provides R-21 in the walls and R-37 in the roof. 2” extruded polystyrene board insulation provides R-10 below the concrete slab. Furthermore, a geothermal system efficiently accommodates the heating and cooling requirements and rotating double fans help to circulate the air.
