Ingleton Wood supports reopening of Blenheim Palace Orangery following £2 million restoration Tuesday, 21st November 2023

Ingleton Wood has supported the reopening of the Historic Blenheim Palace Orangery following a significant £2 million renovation project. 

The Practice was appointed to provide multi-disciplinary services including mechanical, electrical, and sustainability services for the Grade 1 Listed World Heritage Site located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. 

The glass ceiling of the 18th century Orangery has been replaced with a timber and slate structure that reflects Sir John Vanbrugh’s original design. Furthermore, with the new roof boasting multiple energy efficient properties, it marks the first step in Blenheim Palace’s pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2027.

This project is believed to be the first type of restoration programme carried out on a Grade 1 Listed building of its kind.

Thomas McCosker, Senior Sustainability Specialist at Ingleton Wood’s Oxford office, said: “Being able to support this project and be a part of Blenheim Palace’s next steps towards sustainability is a privilege. The Palace’s Orangery is such a historical site, and the restoration of the roof will help to ensure the longevity of the building.

“The new energy-efficient roof offers superb carbon saving opportunities, whilst providing greater control over the temperature of the room below. Our specialist team carried out thermal modelling to highlight potential energy and carbon saving opportunities and ensure the new roof was designed with all key sustainability practices in mind.”

The previous glass roof was installed following a fire in an adjacent bakery that caused significant damage to the original roof structure in 1861. The new roof has been designed to match the original structure, with the design based on research and information sourced from the Blenheim Palace archives. 

Kelly Whitton, Head of Built Heritage at Blenheim Palace, said, “This restoration project is extremely important to us and integral to our plan to achieve our 10 Year Goals. 

“The choice to rebuild the roof with timber and slate is due to plans to adapt the building to an ever changing climate and resulting temperature swings, which present a range of challenges for historic buildings. 

“Slate combined with modern insulation will be a far more effective insulator than glass, saving energy which is a huge factor in our ambitions to become a net generator of green energy. 

“We know our visitors will be delighted that The Orangery is reopening and it’s important that we thank every ticket and annual pass holder for supporting Blenheim Palace as this vital work couldn’t have been completed without your donations.”

Ingleton Wood is one of the largest property and construction consultancies covering East Anglia, Northern England, the Midlands, Central England, London and the South East, with offices in Oxford, Nottingham, London, Colchester, Billericay, Cambridge, and Norwich.

The Practice’s services include architecture, sustainability, building surveying, building services engineering, planning, interior design, civil and structural engineering, quantity surveying, project management, and health and safety.

Learn more about our services or get in touch with us here.