The Longwood Gardens, one of the most important botanical gardens in the United States, recently unveiled its long-awaited Weiss/Manfredi signature transformation to the public. Called Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience, the project is the most ambitious reimagining in the 100-year history of the greenhouse and garden. Followed in collaboration with landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand, the renovation spans seventeen acres, introducing new landscapes and new visitor amenities.

The centerpiece of the Weiss/Manfredi project is a stunning 32,000-square-foot glass conservatory. Named West Conservatory, the structure features crystalline, asymmetrical peaks that appear to float above a reflecting pool. Inside, a Mediterranean garden created by landscape architect Reed Hilderbrand features a unique blend of cultivated gardens and wild landscapes inspired by six Mediterranean ecozones from around the world. The space incorporates innovative sustainable features, including 128 geothermal wells and earth pipes that efficiently regulate temperature, reducing dependence on mechanical systems. This forward-looking design ensures a comfortable and energy-efficient environment year-round.

Inside, the landscape studio then designed a Mediterranean Garden, filled with lush plants and serene water features. Shrubs, perennials, and iconic species such as agaves, aloes, and laurels create a dynamic and articulate landscape. Stone pathways and trellised citrus trees provide a natural transition between intimate spaces and grandiose vistas. Seasonal blooms enhance the beauty of the garden, offering new visual interest with each visit.

The last major note of the ambitious project was the preservation and relocation of the Cascade Garden, the only surviving project in North America by renowned Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. Now housed in a 3,800-square-foot purpose-built greenhouse, the garden faithfully recreates the original rock walls, waterfalls and lush tropical plants.