Architectural Analysis

of Muttart Conservatory

Name: Bradley C. White

Class: ArchE 203
Lab: A

HISTORY
The Muttart Conservatory is a horticultural display garden that brings together a collection of
plants from a diverse range of climatic conditions. Muttart Conservatory was designed in the
early 1970s by architect Peter Hemmingway. He had visioned to combine the practical
requirements for plant height with a striking visual effect. The pyramids officially opened in
September 1976 in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, but the ending of construction came when the
3,700 square meter greenhouse complex was completed in 1980. The six support greenhouses
are connected to the main conservatory by means of a tunnel. The functions of these
greenhouses are to meet the demands for foliage and glowering plant material for the display
pyramids. They also supply the gift shop, civic contracts, and the bedding plant requirements for
civic parks.
The Gladys and Merrill Muttart Foundation donated half of the $2 million construction cost, with
the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta providing the balance.
Through the designing of the four pyramids, they feature a small skylight located over the Centre
Court atrium area. Each display pyramid maintains unique environmental conditions to meet the
needs of the plants housed within.
The Muttart Conservatory was more than just a botanic garden; it hosts many of the Providences
premier floral shows, educational programs for children, horticultural courses for adults and
continues as a very popular site for weddings, banquets and business functions.

Building Use (Presently)

The four glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory invite visitors
to enjoy the different floral worlds within. The unique indoor garden
brings together a collection of plants from a diverse range of climatic
conditions. The four pavilions, the Tropical, Arid, Temperate, and Show
pavilions display more than 700 species of plants, each in unique
climatic and environmental conditions. The Tropical pyramid houses
jungle-like growth in high humidity. It contains one of North Americas
largest collections of orchid species. The Arid pyramid with its desert
conditions features cacti, the Temperate pavilions rainforest changes
with the seasons. The Show pavilion features seasonal floral exhibits.
The Muttart offers rental options for weddings, meetings, and other
special events. There is a gift shop, an art gallery, and a Gourmet
Goodies Caf. They also have plant sales and education tours for school
kids.

General Information
Address: 9626-96A Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6C4L8
Hours: Open Year-round
9:00 am-6:00pm Mon. Fri.
11:00 am-6:00 pm, Sat., Sun., and Holidays
Daily Admissions:

Adult
Child (2-12)
Senior/Youth
Family

$5.50
$3.00
$4.50
$17.00

Facilities/Services Onsite: Cafeteria/Restaurant

Free parking
Gift shop
Restrooms

Architectural Analysis
Organizational Layout
Circulation
Proportion and Scale/Ordering
Principles
The Tropical and Temperate Pyramids:
Measure 660 square meters and 24 meters in height for the floor to the apex
The Arid and Show Pyramids:
Are slightly smaller at 381 square meters and 18 meters in height.
The Center Court atrium is 1319 square meters it provides circulation between the four
display pyramids and houses the admissions area, gift shop, Caf, and administration
offices.

Organizational Layout
Muttart Conservatory was designed for a tourist enabling
easy and simple access to and from the pyramids. The
Center Court is conveniently located in the center of the
pavilions providing access into everything. The store
shops and pavilions surround the Center Court giving a
variety of places to choose from in your desired
surrounding. There is one entryway into the pyramids.
Located central east on the map you will see that is the
entrance and place to pay. There is another exit besides
from the place of entrance, that is, directly west of the
entrance. Additional exits besides the place to entrance
and the west exits are provided, but they are emergency
use only exits and are located inside each of the four
pavilions. The greenhouse is located outside the pyramids
to keep all unwanted personnel out. The greenhouse is off
limits to the public.

Cont. of Organizational Layout

Circulation
The arrangement of Muttart
Conservatory is very easy
to get from one place to
another. Everything can
be accessed from the
center of the
Conservatory. The gift
shop, caf, restrooms,
meeting room, and
pavilions are all accessible
within the Center Court.

Proportion and Scale

and

Ordering Principles
The Muttart Conservatory is very symmetric. As you can see every space is designed
to match with its adjacent sides. The style in which the same size Temperate and
Tropical Pavilions are, they are displayed in a diagonal magnitude with each other as
for the same with the Arid and Show Pavilions. The keeps the fours pyramids from
giving off a dull and boring look.
The two bigger of the four pyramids, Temperate and Tropical, has a height of 24
meters. Compared to the 18 meter Arid and Show Pavilions, the Temperate and
Tropical Pavilions hold vegetation that required as greater amount of sunlight and is
maintained at its designed height.

Cont. of Proportion and Scale &

Ordering Principles

Site-Related Aspects, Parking

Facilities
Muttart Conservatory settles in the hills of
Edmonton Canada. It is clearly visible driving
throughout the city. Not only are the pyramids
tall, but there are few trees within the near area.
The reason for this is so the biomes can feed off
the natural sunlight.
There is a designated parking area for all quests
at the Muttart Conservatory. It is conveniently
located approximately 100 meters northwest
from the entrance. They also meet ADA
regulations providing ramp access and other
disabled capabilities.