Spacious Greenhouse

47–70 m²

Generous open interior

Plenty of growing space

Beds, containers, propagation and climbing crops

Space to unwind

Dining table, lounge seating or studio beside growing areas

Individual features

Doors, ventilation, colour and an optional chimney opening

Versatile growing areas

For growing several crops, the area gives scope to group plants by growth habit, care needs and harvest time. Position tall climbers so they shade other plants as little as possible and do not obstruct roof vents or doors. Low beds and propagation areas are easier to inspect, water and harvest alongside regularly used working paths.

Garden living

A dedicated area can be arranged for dining, relaxing or working without losing the orangery’s greenhouse character. Choose a spot that is not crossed by irrigation hoses or routes carrying damp soil. Easy-care surfaces suited to greenhouse conditions make cleaning simpler. Furniture and textiles should withstand temperature changes, high humidity and strong sunlight, or be stored dry when required.

Generous interior for plants and relaxation

Room for tall crops; consider door height when moving in large plants and furniture

Designed for the large glazed structure

Clear safety glazing for high light levels and unobstructed views

Choose a single or double option to suit the main route and large containers or furniture

Integrated ventilation and rainwater drainage; the optional chimney opening can form part of separately planned heating

Summer ventilation

On long sunny days, the large glazed area heats up quickly. Effective air exchange requires warm air to rise freely towards the roof vents while cooler air enters through the doors. Arrange tall shelving and densely trained climbers so they do not obstruct this continuous air path. Avoid creating a dense canopy directly beneath the ridge.

Roof vents and sliding doors together create the natural ventilation system. Their operating paths must remain accessible even when plants have grown considerably in summer. Temperature is not the only issue when ventilating: after watering or among dense planting, air exchange helps remove excess moisture. At the same time, avoid unnecessarily cold draughts directly over young plants. Use openings according to weather, time of day and the plant collection.

Seasonal shading can limit leaf scorch and make the seating area more pleasant on very bright days. It should work where it is genuinely needed without permanently darkening the entire orangery. Mobile or temporary solutions can be adapted to sun position and individual crops. Ensure fixings do not damage glass or frames and that roof vents can still open freely.

Winter use

Anyone overwintering citrus or sensitive collector plants should first know each plant’s minimum temperature. This determines whether frost protection alone or a higher temperature level is needed. The large glazed surface can create substantial energy demand; group plants with similar warmth needs together instead of strongly heating the whole orangery without a defined need. Remove dead leaves and water standing in saucers regularly.

Any planned heating should protect the plants that need it, not only the seating area. Dense planting and tall furniture must not obstruct heat distribution or access to controls. Electrical wiring and equipment in the humid greenhouse environment should be designed and installed by suitably qualified REWS-authorised professionals with the appropriate scope.

Even with heating, the orangery remains a glazed greenhouse rather than a fully insulated living room. Temperatures can vary considerably between day and night and between ground level and the ridge. A short coffee break therefore calls for different expectations from frost-free wintering of valuable plants. Separating these aims helps plan heating periods and plant positions to suit real needs.

Flooring and wide paths

A large glazed room needs a durable, permanently level floor build-up that supports both gardening and relaxation. Before work begins, decide which areas will be open planting, hard surfaced or used with movable containers. Work zones should resist soil and watering; the seating area needs a level, load-bearing surface for table and chairs. Materials and construction must suit foundation planning and intended water drainage.

Wide main paths make it easier to move soil, pots, equipment and furniture. Fix their position before installing beds or connections. Consider not only route width, but also sliding-door opening zones, bends and manoeuvring areas. Sack trolleys and mobile plant tables need more turning room than a single person, especially when changing direction. A direct work route also keeps soil and watering away from the seating area.

The finished surface should be slip-resistant and easy to clean; water must not collect by furniture or the base frame. Create transitions between paved paths and open planting areas without trip edges. Tools, hoses and cables need fixed storage places or orderly routing. This keeps paths and sliding doors clear during intensive gardening.

Rainwater and garden irrigation

The large roof collects substantial quantities of rainwater. A single container beside the greenhouse is therefore not enough. Plan the route from integrated gutters to storage, a controlled overflow and drainage for periods when storage is full. Water must neither undermine the foundation nor run across main paths. Removable or accessible connections make cleaning easier if leaves and deposits obstruct the inlet.

After commissioning, inspect the system during heavy rain to confirm that all joints are watertight, the overflow drains freely and no water remains around foundations or paths.

Collected rainwater can cover part of irrigation needs. The draw-off point should be easy to reach with a watering can or hose without blocking access. A suitable covered store keeps out coarse debris. Check water level, inlet and overflow regularly. Before rare cold spells, inspect and, where necessary, drain pipes, fittings and containers according to their design.

Foundation for a large footprint

Along long wall lines, small variations in height, angle or diagonal affect the whole structure. An inaccurate foundation can prevent frame parts fitting together without stress or stop sliding doors running smoothly. Complete and check the substructure before assembly begins. Correcting levels later during glazing is not a substitute for an accurate base.

Prepare the entire installation area so it is stable, level and suited to the selected dimensions. Match construction and anchoring to the structure, local ground conditions, drainage and site exposure. As these conditions vary by property, plan the foundation from the product documents and obtain professional assessment where needed. Route drainage pipes and service ducts so they do not weaken load-bearing or intended anchoring areas.

A continuous reference line and checks of side lengths, angles and diagonals help identify dimensional errors early. Measure not only after setting out, but again after the foundation is complete and before frame assembly starts. Check height at several points as well. Only when plan and level are correct should the kit be laid out on the assembly area in the intended sequence.

Plan furniture to scale

A large table needs enough room beyond its footprint for chairs to be pulled back and every place reached. A drawing should therefore show not only the tabletop but the real use area, including seated sides. If dining is close to plants, allow an additional care gap. Leaves can then be checked, containers turned and fallen soil removed without rearranging the whole area.

Lounge furniture should not block main paths, doors, roof vents or workspaces. Low furniture may look open but often needs more floor area than expected. Modular or easily moved pieces are useful when propagation space is needed in spring or room for containers in autumn. Cushions and textiles must suit changing conditions or be capable of dry storage outside the orangery.

Mark every area that must remain clear even when furniture changes on the scale drawing, including sliding-door zones and space in front of technical controls. These no-go areas prevent a layout that works on paper from later blocking important functions.

Delivery and preparing the assembly area

A large kit needs enough space for components to be unloaded safely, checked and sorted by assembly stage. Store glass elements securely and protect them from tipping, impacts and hard edges. Remove packaging only when the relevant parts are needed and can be identified clearly. Children, pets and uninvolved people must not enter the work area during unloading and assembly.

Check access roads, gates, bends, steps and the route from unloading point to foundation before delivery. Clear width is not the only factor; low branches, tight turns and delicate garden surfaces can also complicate transport. If direct access is unavailable, establish how long or heavy components can be carried safely onwards. Dry interim storage protects sorted parts until each assembly stage begins.

A tidy, clearly defined assembly area supports efficient work and reduces the chance of mix-ups or damage. Tools, fixings and profiles should not lie on walking routes. Assemble according to the supplied instructions and in the correct sequence; unauthorised alterations to profiles, glazing channels or anchoring may impair function. Use stable suitable equipment and safe weather conditions for work at height.

Citrus plants, container trees and plant collections

The room height and open area accommodate larger specimen plants and extensive container collections. Do not plan only for current plant height: crowns continue growing towards the glass and may later obstruct roof vents, neighbouring plants or care routes. Sufficient clearance makes pruning, pest inspection and cleaning panes easier. Statement plants can structure the room, but should not create a permanent bottleneck.

Heavy containers need a load-bearing level position and should be reachable via the direct main path. Once planted and watered, they are much harder to move. Saucers must be easy to inspect and empty so water does not remain standing and place strain on the surface. Leave enough space between large pots to care for and inspect plants from every side.

Smaller plants on suitable mobile stands can be moved between sunnier and more sheltered areas as seasons change. Castors must suit the floor and load and lock securely. Movable groups also simplify deep cleaning and create temporary free space. Group plants with similar watering needs to reduce water reaching paths and furniture during irrigation.

Meals and small gatherings

For meals and small gatherings, provide an accessible surface for crockery and drinks so the worktable does not also become a serving station. Seating can face the planting, but should be kept away from watering points, open compost and areas with regular condensation. Lighting and electrical connections must be installed professionally in the damp environment.

Move sensitive plants, low propagation trays and watering equipment out of the immediate circulation area before a gathering. Additional chairs and decorations belong only on stable surfaces; do not lean or attach items to glass, frames or vents.

Remove spilled liquids and food remains promptly after use so work surfaces stay clean and paths do not become slippery.

Long-term interior planning

Permanent beds, water connections and large trees shape the layout for many years, so plan them first. Include future maintenance routes: glass, frame joints, gutters and vents must remain accessible. A bed running directly up to difficult-to-reach components can make care unnecessarily hard. Some reserve space at strategic points is more practical than maximum uninterrupted planting.

Mobile growing tables and furniture complement permanent elements. Worktables should be easy to reach and provide enough potting space so soil and plant debris do not travel through the seating area. Do not attach shelving to the structure without authorisation; freestanding solutions must be stable and must not project into glass. Before moving mobile elements, check that plants, containers and tools are secure.

Once a layout has proved successful in daily use, document positions and clear circulation areas on the plan. This makes seasonal changes easier because tables, shelves and seating can return to locations that work.

Define the use

First decide which plants need the greatest permanent area and when the seating area will be used. This creates a clear use profile against which later decisions can be assessed.

Draw the routes

Draw connections between doors, beds, worktables and seating. Check whether transport, plant care and relaxation can happen at the same time without routes blocking one another.

Coordinate services

Coordinate water draw-off, rainwater overflow, electricity, lighting, drainage and possible heating before foundation and floor work. Installations in the greenhouse environment require professional execution.

Keep flexibility

Reserve accessible maintenance areas and avoid fixed furniture or permanently installed shelving there. Seasonal equipment should have a defined position or storage place so planting zones remain intact after every rearrangement.

Large Orangery

The Large Orangery provides a largely open area that can be divided flexibly. It is especially suitable when long bed rows, a large table and mobile work areas are to be combined, or when their balance may change later. Furniture and planting define zones rather than the building shape itself.

T-model

With the T-model, the T-shaped footprint already divides the interior structurally into separate areas. This option is more suitable when growing and relaxation should be clearly separated from the outset. Alongside total area, the desired circulation routes and preferred room layout are therefore central to the choice.