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Laminated glass protects plants and 800,000 annual visitors Silver Garden' greenhouse in Pennsylvania's Longwood Gardens

Creating a 'Silver Garden' greenhouse dedicated to desert plants in Pennsylvania's famous Longwood Gardens presented a major challenge to landscape architects Isabelle C. Green & Associates of Santa Barbara, California. The problem was to protect the plants – and the 800,000 annual visitors – against the high winds and snow that occur each winter on the U.S. north-east seaboard while providing the light and space necessary for the plants' healthy growth.

Isabelle C. Green & Associates found the answer by installing glass laminated with a tough interlayer of Butacite^® which resists bad weather conditions and offers the safety and security properties needed at the Silver Garden. Should breakage occur for any reason, broken glass fragments remain adhered to the PVB interlayer, keeping both visitors and plants safe from falling glass.

Altogether, 1,400 overlaying laminated glass panes were installed in the Silver Garden greenhouse. No crossbars were necessary and an impressive, 'shingled' look results. Visitors to the Silver Garden can now enjoy the silver, grey and blue hues of a wind-swept desert setting, settled under a roof as unobtrusive as a desert sky – but in an environment a great deal safer.