Phipps Conservatory - Production House and Tropical Rainforest
project at a glance
- Client Phipps
- Architects IKM Incorporated, LLI
- Location Pittsburgh, PA
- Attributes Cultural & Entertainment, Pennsylvania
The Production Greenhouses encompass 52,000 square feet and are divided into eight different houses with ten different climate zones. These state-of-the-art greenhouses are operated by a fully automated control system, which ties the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems to measurements of weather conditions, temperature, humidity and sunlight.
The 15,000 square foot multilevel Tropical Forest Conservatory is where visitors are immersed in a dramatic exhibit of the world’s most diverse environment. The structure soars to 60 feet in height and includes cascading waterfalls, hidden grottos, and a treetop canopy walk. Temperatures in the Tropical Forest are moderated by a passive “earthtube” air duct system, which runs under the Production Greenhouses. The six underground concrete tubes, each 24 inches in diameter and approximately 200 feet long, allow intake air to be cooled by the earth before being distributed in the planting beds and under benches in the rain forest. Attached to the rain forest is a 7,000 square foot Special Events Center that can fit up to 350 people.