Orangerie
an exploration of a unique piece of garden architecture
Orangerie is a proposed project exploring the role, history and architecture of Orangeries in the UK. An often overlooked and unsung piece of garden architecture, the Orangery is a building that exposes its interior to the outside. Its narrow form and large south facing glass windows create a display case for exotic fruit like a giant garden wunderkammer or cabinet of curiosity.
For the ‘Orangerie’ project I propose to create temporary textile artworks that explore the form and volume of the interior space with a shock of bright orange.
The installations would be bespoke to each individual location such that each piece is unique. The pieces can be held in situ for a week or two to highlight the role and history of the architecture to visitors, or can be installed just for a couple of hours privately in gardens not open to the public. Each installation will be documented in high quality photography for future exhibition and will together form a body of work exploring the variety and history of the Orangery in the UK.
Installations would be typically inflatable textile forms. These are simple to install and can be made to fill even the largest of interiors without the need for fixings into the fabric of the building. Lightweight and capable of being powered by portable battery sources they pose no risk to even the most fragile of environments.
The installations can be easily seen from the outside where the colour transforms the appearance of the building and highlighting its architectural forms within the context of the garden environment. the scale of the forms can also be explored by visitors in buildings where access is allowed to explore the forms and experience the building in a new way.
examples of Orangeries
inspiration
The 19th century steam loco ‘Coppernob’ was preserved in a glass case on the platform at Barrow-in-Furness where it was originally built. It stayed there until the structure was destroyed by bomb damage in 1942.
The glass case has a similar feel to the design of Orangeries and I particularly like the way a building becomes a display case for its contents as well as being an object of interest in its own right. What makes this structure interesting - is it the architectural design or the object inside? I think it’s how the two work together. On their own they’re less interesting.
