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The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Research Output:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
Conference contribution

Open access

Abstract

The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory consists in part, of three conoid structures, referred to as “The Domes”. Each dome is 26 m tall and has a 43 m base diameter. The main structure for each dome is a precast concrete frame, supporting an aluminum framed wire glass cladding and a steel framed apex. The precast concrete frame is a series of hexagons, diamonds, and triangles which make up the conoid shape. The domes were designed between 1955 and 1962 through collaboration of engineer Charles Whitney (of “Whitney Stress block” fame in plastic analysis of concrete) and architect Donald Grieb. These domes were developed concurrently with other famous projects including collaborations with Eero Saarinen on early thin-shell concrete structures such as Kresge Auditorium (1955), TWA Flight Center (1962), and Dulles International Airport (1962). Construction of the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory began in 1959 and proceeded in stages until 1967 with the opening of the arid-climate dome. After continued use over a life span of 60 years, without much maintenance being carried out, the Domes need extensive rehabilitation along with repairs and updates. Using historical documents and forensic site visits, this paper presents the history and the details of the design and construction, emphasizing the historic value of these unique structures.

Access to documents

Bibliographic Information

Output type

Research Output:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
Conference contribution

Host publication Subtitle

Sustainable Heritage Challenges and Strategies in the Preservation and Conservation of 20th Century Historic Concrete Shells

Original language

American English

Publication milestones

  • Published - 2022

Publication status

Published - 2022

Publication series

  • Publisher name: Ingenta Connect
    Publication series name: Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia
    ISSN (Electronic): 2518-6582

Host publication title

IASS/APCS 2022 Beijing Symposium