Let’s Retire the Conservatories: A Farewell to Glass Boxes and Missed Opportunities

There was a time when adding a conservatory felt like the ultimate upgrade. A beacon of light and leisure, the glassy promise of bringing the outside in. But let’s be honest—for most homes, the conservatory became a room that was either too hot, too cold, or too awkward to really enjoy. A kind of expensive greenhouse where furniture and forgotten hobbies go to wilt.

The problem isn’t the idea of wanting more space or natural light. It’s how we’ve been going about it. A conservatory often gives you the illusion of abundance while quietly draining your comfort, energy, and (let’s face it) your heating bill. Thermally inefficient, often exempt from proper building regulations, and rarely adding the value people hope for when it comes time to sell—conservatories are the architectural equivalent of buying a tent and calling it an extension.

We can do better. In fact, we are doing better.

Good architecture isn’t about adding square metres—it’s about adding meaning, usability, and joy. A thoughtfully designed extension that respects the thermal envelope of your home, frames your garden like a painting, and uses biophilic principles to connect you to nature… now that’s a space you’ll want to live in. Year-round. Barefoot. With coffee.

Because real indoor-outdoor living isn’t just about sliding doors or big windows. It’s about considering the angle of the sun, the thermal mass of your flooring, the cross-ventilation on a humid day, and the subtle feeling of natural textures under your hands. It’s architecture that breathes, flexes, and actually works with your lifestyle—not against it.

A proper extension may cost a bit more up front, yes. But what you gain in thermal comfort, resale value (up to 15%, in many cases), and daily enjoyment makes it a far smarter investment. Not to mention: you’ll never have to explain to guests why you’ve put a blanket box and a yoga mat in what was supposed to be a “sun lounge.”

So here’s our friendly message, from one design-loving human to another:
Let’s leave the conservatories to history. Or better yet, to botanical gardens where they belong.

If you’re planning to extend, let’s build something that actually improves your life. Something solid. Seamless. Smart. A space that feels like it belongs—to your home, to your habits, to your future.

We’re Saxon Architects, and we design spaces that love you back.
(And no, we won’t try to sell you a conservatory. Promise.)