Temperate House

The Temperate House, located in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, was begun in 1860 under the architect Decimus Burton and completed between 1897 and 1899. This impressive structure consists of three interconnected conservatories made of iron, glass, and stucco. The central rectangular building features a pitched, glazed roof with a clerestory and aisles. Its outer walls are constructed of stucco piers with segmental arches in between, each topped with urns. The main entrance is triple, flanked by stucco piers that are adorned with statues and urns. Above the entrance is a central pediment with a semi-circular fanlight. On either end of the central body, there are octagonal pavilions made of iron and glass, and beyond these are smaller rectangular conservatories that have a similar roof design to the central structure. The entire composition measures 628 feet in length and is entered from either end. Inside, the space is aisled with iron columns, and the central area features a gallery.