The royal greenhouses at Laeken
Subtitle: an exceptional plant collection in a glass city
By: Irene Smets ; photography Karin Borghouts
Contributors: Borghouts, Karin
Publisher: BAI
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Wommelgem
Language: eng
Number of pages: 79
ISBN-13: 9789085866978
Subjects: Greenhouses
Description: At the time of their construction (1874-1905) the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken were quite exceptional owing to their scale, the modernity of their architectural design in glass and metal, and the unique botanical collection that they housed. They remain a remarkable monument even in the 21st century: simultaneously grand and refined, exotic and functional, exuberant and harmoniously composed. And the botanical collection remains unique to this day thanks to its size and diversity, and thanks to the rarity and beauty of many of its trees and plants. This new, updated BAI publication considers all aspects of the Royal Greenhouses: the architecture, the botanical diversity, the history and Queen Elisabeth's sculpture studio. The glorious photographs taken by Karin Borghouts are a fitting tribute to the splendour of this palace of glass and the flora that it contains.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.