1. The Climatron at the Missouri Botanical Gardens
An Architectural Analysis by
Colleen Harres &
Cindy Mulnik

2. The Architectural Analysis includes:
History of the Building
Present Building Use
Analysis
Organizational Layout
Circulation
Proportion and Scale
Ordering Principles
Site-Related Aspects and Parking Facilities

3. History of the Building
Built in 1960 to replace the Palm House for a cost of $700,000
Idea to build the Climatron came in 1959 from Frits W. Went (the director of the garden) to house a laboratory that was an open, clear structure
The name “Climatron” is meant to imply that they building has a controlled climate
Incorporates the design principles of Buckminster Fuller’s Geodesic System

4. History of the Building, continued
Developed by Architects Murphy and Mackey
Won the Reynold’s Award in 1969 for Architectural Excellence in Aluminum
Named one of the 100 most significant architectural achievements in United States History in 1976.
Renovated from for $6 Million and the Shoenberg Temperate House was added

5. Present Building Use
Used as the Missouri Botanical Gardens Main Conservatory
Simulates a tropical lowland rainforest
Houses 1,200 out of 160,000 species of Tropical Plants, including many endangered species
Also home to cycads from areas all over the world

6. Analysis: Organizational Layout
Adjacent Spaces describe the layout of the Climatron and the recent addition of the Shoenberg Temperate House.

7. Analysis: Circulation
Approach: Frontal approach from all entrances
Entrance: Projected entrance that forms a transitional space which is centered on the building in reference to the path. The pond opposite the main entrance gives it ornamentation.
Configuration of the Path: A radial path that terminates at a central location with other spiral paths that branch off the main path.
Path-Space Relationships: Pass by Spaces. Although the Climatron is one main space, it is broken up into different areas that allow for visitors to “pass by” the various plants.
Form of the Circulation Space: Enclosed space that lends an airy feeling due to the Saflex (plexiglas) and lack of supporting columns.

8. Analysis: Proportion and Scale
The Climatron stands 70 feet high and 175 feet in Diameter.
As you can see, the elevation of the Climatron is about half of its floor plan.

9. Analysis: Ordering Principles
Axis and Symmetry: There is a central axis that divides the dome in half. Since the addition of the Temperate House, the balance of space is offset, but it merely adds to the architectural details of the Climatron.
Hierarchy: By looking at the Botanical Gardens as a whole, one can see the Climatron from almost any area which shows visitors the importance of the structure.

10. Site-Related Aspects and Parking Facilities
The main parking lots for the Botanical Gardens are located outside the Ridgway Center
Due to the Botanical Gardens being a public facility, they are ADA compliant and paths throughout the gardens are wheelchair accessible.
The Rock Garden, Milles Sculpture Garden, Dwarf Conifer Garden, Azalea Rhododendron Garden, Magnolia Walk, Rose Garden, and Dry Stream Bed Garden all surround the Climatron, so there is ample room for later growth and expansion.

11. Resources
All of the information and photographs used in this presentation were found at:
the main webpage for the