Blenheim Palace Orangery
New solutions for old problems
The Orangery is Blenheim’s premier events space, containing the only restaurant in the visitor complex. By 2023, its Victorian glazed roof was fraught with thermal, access, and maintenance issues. Our proposal negotiated the demands of various stakeholders, including Historic England and ICOMOS. It aimed to replace the inefficient and unsafe roof, to reduce the Orangery’s operational energy and to increase the space’s accessibility.
The 2023 refurbishment works to the Grade I Listed Orangery restored a slate roof and solid ceiling to the Orangery over an insulated steel structure: fundamentally changing the existing thermally inefficient and unsafe Victorian glazed roof. The key sustainability objectives were to reduce the operational energy use and increase accessibility of the space that was restricted due to glare, brightness, noise and control of climatic conditions. As a restaurant and the primary event space for the Palace, providing significant revenue for the World Heritage Site, it was key that the Orangery project met the Palace’s targets.
A multi-disciplinary approach to historic and fabric analysis with many design iterations took over three years. Discussions with the Design Team, Blenheim, Historic England and the Conservation Officer; a Pre-App and a former Planning submission for a glazed roof; disruption of the pandemic, all enabled reassessment of the existing conditions and historic information to culminate in the current scheme.
From its initial construction, in the phase of work after 1716, the Orangery was very much a practical space for gardeners and used as an Orangery. In 1887 it was converted to a theatre and then a gallery for the Titian paintings. In 1840 the Orangery became home to the estate administration offices, however a fire in 1861 reported to have devastated the range leaving only the walls standing. Remnants of the charred rafters were discovered in the upper walls of the Orangery during this current phase of work. The Orangery roof was re-built in the 1890s with a Victorian cast iron truss structure and a glass roof. Reports at the time note it ‘being top lit for the first time’. This structure was re-roofed in 1976 with aluminium glazing bars and single glazing.
The works addressed practical issues without requiring changes to the considerably significant external parapet and masonry walls. Slate is the prevalent roofing material of the Palace, and research showed was likely the original roofing material for the Orangery. The plaster ceiling respects the current interior scheme and the character of the original design. The works have improved the environmental and technical performance of the building, and improved accessibility of the space with safer maintenance of the fabric. The project has improved the economic viability of the Orangery, supporting the long-term sustainability of the heritage asset in manner consistent with its conservation. The proposed alterations enable and enhance the ongoing use of the Orangery as a restaurant for the benefit of visitors and the community.
‘Boldly stepping away from like-for-like repair.’
RIBA Awards Judging Panel, 2025
Returning to architectural simplicity
In 2023, Nick Cox Architects designed a traditional slate roof for the Orangery, featuring a solid ceiling over an insulated modern steel structure. This restored the elegance of the original Orangery room, shifting the focus to the large sash, south facing windows that would have over-wintered the orange trees.
Our prize-winning solution for the roof negotiated the complex requirements of various stakeholders. A multi-disciplinary approach to historic and fabric analysis with many design iterations took over three years. The pandemic created an opportunity for a substantial reevaluation, along with a Pre-App and a former Planning submission for a glazed roof. All enabled reassessment of the existing fabric and historic information to culminate in the current scheme.
Revenue and sustainability
Our innovative alterations to the roof will conserve and protect the primary fabric, whilst moving away from the bland and unsatisfactory options of a like-for-like replacement or a pastiche design. The new roof has enabled the ongoing use of the Orangery, enhancing benefits to visitors and the community. The project has improved the economic viability of the Orangery: it provides significant revenue for the World Heritage Site and supports the long-term sustainability of the heritage asset.