Conservatory Craftsmen is expanding its Smart Room automation capabilities, offering homeowners and enthusiasts advanced technology integration for custom conservatories, greenhouses, and orangeries. The company’s Smart Room systems combine traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge automation to create responsive environments that maintain optimal conditions year-round with minimal owner intervention.
Smart Room technology addresses the primary challenges of owning a glass structure, such as temperature swings, humidity control, ventilation needs, and plant maintenance. The automation platform uses a complex evaluation of multiple environmental variables to dynamically adjust settings. This ensures the interior stays at ideal temperatures without requiring manual thermostat changes, even during extreme Midwest winters or hot summers.
Core features include automated roof vents that open and close based on temperature and weather data, motorized blinds crafted from durable pineoleum fabric, and custom-fit shades for gable windows and ceiling sections. These blinds can be programmed to close automatically in the evenings for privacy or adjust throughout the day to manage solar gain. The system also incorporates in-floor heating for steady, efficient warmth, ceiling fans to prevent air stagnation, and measured watering systems that deliver precise amounts tailored to individual plants.
Remote access is a standout element of the Smart Room platform. Owners can control every aspect via smartphone or tablet from anywhere in the world. This includes adjusting blinds, activating humidifiers, operating ventilation, monitoring interior conditions through video cameras, and managing automatic watering schedules. The controller integrates with components such as window motors, HVAC systems, lighting, power outlets, and an outdoor weather station for comprehensive, real-time responsiveness.
The automation supports both residential luxury installations and more intensive applications like private botanical gardens. It helps prevent common issues such as plant stress from temperature fluctuations, condensation problems, mildew growth, and stale air that can lead to plant diseases. By maintaining consistent conditions, the technology promotes healthier plant growth and extends the usability of the space for relaxation, dining, or entertainment regardless of external weather.
Several completed projects demonstrate the practical benefits of these systems. The Conservatory Spa in North Oaks, Minnesota, uses automated climate controls to create a stable wellness environment combining relaxation areas with lush plantings. The Private Botanical Garden in Tucson, Arizona, relies on precise temperature, humidity, and watering automation to sustain delicate collections in a harsh desert climate. The Lake of the Isles project in Minneapolis features interconnected conservatory spaces with integrated smart features for seamless comfort. The Excelsior Conservatory Restoration preserved historic Victorian details while adding modern automation for reliable performance. Other notable installations include the Central Wisconsin mahogany masterpiece with detailed custom woodwork, the Oshkosh pool cover conservatory, and projects in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Cedar Lakes Estate, New York.
These structures incorporate signature design elements such as Gothic arch muntins, steel substructure columns wrapped in wood for aesthetic warmth and strength, custom interior trim packages, and beveled glass crystals that produce stunning optical effects like rainbows during rain or mist. The Smart Room automation complements these traditional features, enhancing energy efficiency through features like heat exchange systems that expel excess warmth and automated ventilation that optimizes airflow.
Jim Hewitt, owner and founder of Conservatory Craftsmen, stated, “Our Smart Room technology allows clients to truly relax and enjoy their conservatory as the sanctuary it was meant to be. Instead of worrying about daily adjustments or seasonal challenges, the system handles the thinking so families can focus on spending quality time together while admiring the views and atmosphere.”
Evan Cohoe, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, added, “We’ve invested heavily in perfecting remote automation because a great conservatory should enhance life rather than add maintenance stress. By combining decades of hands-on craftsmanship with these intelligent systems, we deliver spaces that are not only visually stunning but also incredibly practical and sustainable for decades to come.”
The company’s automation approach begins at the design phase, ensuring full compatibility with local building codes nationwide and site-specific conditions. Options extend to advanced lighting control, motion sensors, security cameras, and touchscreen interfaces for intuitive operation. This comprehensive integration reflects Conservatory Craftsmen’s commitment to innovation while maintaining the artisanal quality that has defined the business since its founding.
Founded in 1988 by Jim Hewitt in the Minneapolis area, Conservatory Craftsmen is a family-owned business specializing in the design, fabrication, and installation of luxury conservatories, greenhouses, and orangeries. The company maintains operations in Stonehouse, England. Known for personal client relationships, superior workmanship, and ongoing support, the firm has earned recognition, including Best of Houzz awards for service and design.
This expansion of Smart Room capabilities continues Conservatory Craftsmen’s tradition of sharing practical knowledge through detailed project showcases and educational resources on heating and cooling, blinds and shades, ventilation, and the benefits of automation for both private and commercial applications. The technology represents a significant advancement in making high-end glass rooms more accessible, enjoyable, and low-maintenance for homeowners across diverse climates.
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For more information about Conservatory Craftsmen, contact the company here:
Conservatory Craftsmen
Jim Hewitt
612-281-4985
sales@conservatorycraftsmen.com
