Dreaming of adding a greenhouse to extend the growing season on her property near Madison, Wisconsin, Wade Weissmann Architecture’s client began research that led her to discover a UK-based greenhouse builder. After visiting their factory outside of Manchester while on a business trip she knew it was exactly the inspiration that she’d been searching for.
To help determine the ideal location and integration of the greenhouse to her existing Tudor revival home, she enlisted WWA to develop a master plan. After studying the site and learning more about their client’s intended use of the structure, Wade Weissmann proposed the greenhouse be positioned nearest the kitchen and connected by an enclosed breezeway. Their designs included stone parapet walls and an upper terrace above the flat roofed breezeway that marries the new structure with the existing home, in a way that’s both aesthetically and practically pleasing, creating a seamless extension of their living space, ample additional entertaining spaces and an abundance of flora and produce to outlast the harshest of winters.
Parrett Windows & Doors manufactured window and door units that were constructed of mahogany to provide a durable, long-lasting product capable of withstanding the weather conditions in Wisconsin. All units were factory-painted by Parrett, matching customer-specified colors for both the interior and exterior. The Low E insulated glass was fabricated with applied metal caming bars to both the interior and exterior along with an internal spacer bar, adding to the class and elegance of the units.
Both single and French pushout casements were provided with a total of 25 units. All hardware was specified in an unlacquered brass finish which will patina beautifully over time, including the exposed sash pushbars, hinges with decorative finials, and multipoint locking handles. The two sets of French doors were almost 9 feet tall and also featured unlacquered brass hinges and multipoint locking handlesets matching the unlacquered brass hardware of the casement windows. The door hardware also featured electronic locking functionality. Parrett was pleased to contribute to this one-of-a-kind greenhouse addition as well as to the main residence renovation.