Let the Sunshine In

Glass House Conservatories, a firm specializing in conservatory design and construction, radiates warmth into the home

By: Lorraine Sedor

   A sunroom adds warmth, light and perhaps a bit of the romantic to one’s home.
   A sun space can take a number of forms, from a simple porch conversion to a greenhouse addition to an elaborate conservatory.
   A conservatory, however, suggests a bygone era, a touch of formality and elegance captured in the details. Glass House Conservatories is a firm that specializes in conservatory design and construction. Its owner, Jim Potrzeba, recently explained that the beauty of the building is often the draw when homeowners choose a conservatory over a standard greenhouse addition. While the structural elements may be similar, the very term "conservatory" evokes an old-world style that sets it apart from a typical sun space.
   Mr. Potrzeba, whose company is based in Connecticut but works extensively in central New Jersey, says that the typical size of a conservatory is about 12 feet by 15 feet, but that he has built conservatories that are as large as some homes.

The conservatory’s size depends not only on the room’s location but on its function.

   The conservatory’s size depends not only on the room’s location, but on its function. "Our clientele is very diverse," he said, "as are the ways in which they use their conservatory."
   Mr. Protzeba described a recently completed project.
Our clients, very avid gardeners, wanted a conservatory that allowed for three different environments: a space for orchids, a plant nursery and a tea room. Interestingly, even these avid gardeners saw their room as more than just a space to grow plants."
   Mrs. John Heidelmeier added a conservatory to her Rumson home and hired Glass House Conservatories after considerable research. Her main concern was achieving a custom look and fitting the room over an existing, unused patio. Her room not only houses plants, but includes a fireplace and waterfall.
   "We use it (the conservatory) as a winter garden and winter living room…. It’s nice to be in on a dreary day," Mrs. Heidelmeier said.
Lee and David Nissan of Cranbury added a conservatory to their 1920s Tudor-style home during extensive renovations about two years ago. The Nissans built their conservatory as a four-season room, not as a home for plants. Their motive was two-fold: to improve the traffic flow in their house by connecting the kitchen and living room, and to bring more light into those two spaces.

While the size and shape of the Nissan’s conservatory was dictated by its location, the materials used were dictated by the house itself.

   Without the glass ceiling (in the conservatory)," explained Ms. Nissan, "the kitchen and living room would have been very dark."
   Ms. Nissan, who is an editor and freelance designer, drew ideas for the space and had Architect David Nelson and Contractor Frank McDonald implement them.
   While the size and shape of the Nissan’s conservatory was dictated by its location, the materials used were dictated by the house itself. The architect chose metal, industrial skylights for the roof, in a design that Ms. Nissan feels fits well with the home’s Tudor style.
   African slate was used on the radiant-heat floor. "We chose materials that look like they’ve always been part of the house," Ms. Nissan pointed out, "such as slate, stone, plaster and iron, all materials that can be found throughout the original parts of the house."
   There have been no drawbacks to adding the conservatory to the home, Ms Nissan admitted. "We live in this room. It’s natural light is the reason everyone is drawn to this space."

A conservatory suggests a bygone era, a touch of formality and elegance captured in the details.

   If you crave the warmth and charm of a conservatory but don’t think it’s in your budget, don’t be afraid to ask, Mr. Potrzeba explained. Companies such as Glass House can provide options.
   Generally, conservatory budgets start at $20,000 and up, according to Mr. Potrzeba, however, Glass House clients have converted porches, for example, using ornamental elements to achieve the look and feel of a conservatory.
   While Glass House conservatories are built using typical wood-frame construction, the company has taken some simple, aluminum-framed greenhouse rooms and added gingerbread for clients, creating a personalized, less mass-produced look.
   If that simpler solution is not in your future, though, there are skylights and greenhouse windows. And the consolation of knowing spring — and the promise of time out in the sunshine — is not that far off.