pennsylvania's longwood gardens sees weiss/manfredi expansion

A Modern and timeless Glasshouse for longwood gardens

Longwood Gardens, one of the most iconic horticultural destinations in the United States, unveils its highly anticipated transformation on November 22nd, 2024. The project, named Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience, is the most ambitious reimagination in the greenhouse and garden’s 100-year history. Spearheaded by architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi and landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand, the revival spans seventeen acres, introducing state-of-the-art facilities, dynamic landscapes, and expanded visitor amenities. This milestone coincides with Longwood’s beloved holiday event, A Longwood Christmas, which will run through January 12th, 2025.

image by Albert Vecerka/Esto, courtesy Weiss/Manfredi

The Mediterranean Garden: A Living Tapestry

At the heart of the project at Pennsylvania’s Longwood Gardens is a stunning 32,000-square-foot glass conservatory designed by the architects at Weiss/Manfredi. Dubbed the West Conservatory, the structure features crystalline, asymmetrical peaks that appear to float above a reflective pool. Inside, a Mediterranean Garden by landscape architect Reed Hilderbrand showcases a unique blend of cultivated gardens and wild landscapes inspired by six Mediterranean ecozones worldwide. The space integrates innovative sustainable features, including 128 geothermal wells and earth ducts that regulate temperature efficiently, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. This forward-thinking design ensures a comfortable, energy-efficient environment year-round.

image by Albert Vecerka/Esto, courtesy Weiss/Manfredi

Preserving Burle Marx’s Cascade Garden

The Mediterranean Garden within the Longwood Gardens’ West Conservatory is filled with lush plantings and serene water features. Drifts of shrubs, perennials, and iconic species such as agaves, aloes, and bay laurels create a dynamic, textured landscape. Cast stone pathways and trellised citrus trees provide natural transitions between intimate spaces and grand vistas. Seasonal blooms enhance the garden’s beauty, offering fresh visual interest with each visit.

Another highlight of Longwood Reimagined is the preservation and relocation of the Cascade Garden, the only surviving North American design by renowned Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. Now housed in a purpose-built 3,800-square-foot glasshouse, the garden faithfully recreates its original rock walls, cascading waterfalls, and lush tropical plantings. The Bonsai Courtyard introduces a 12,500-square-foot outdoor gallery, designed to display Longwood’s world-class bonsai collection. Enclosed by hornbeam hedges and accented by cherry trees, the space offers contemplative settings to admire specimens that have been cultivated for over a century.

image by Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto, courtesy Longwood Gardens