"architectural glass"

Linework Architects imaginative use of architectural glass rooflights was key to transforming this period north London property. Lineworks director, Robert Haworth collaborated with Glazing Vision with the objective of delivering natural daylight and a touch of glamour to some tricky spaces whilst maintaining privacy where needed.The design brief for the project called for an ultra-minimalist final finish, so it was important that all of the glazing featured minimal framework and a clean integration with the building fabric itself.Glazing Visions philosophy of minimum framework, maximum daylight was the preferred solution and met all of the design requirements, providing enough flexibility to tackle the various challenges that the scheme presented. The property comprises of three stories with a mixture of extensions added to increase usable living space, the problem with this is that some of these areas can be starved of natural daylight, making them gloomy and uninviting, in order to combat this, several types of rooflight needed to be specified to tackle each of the areas.Beginning on the ground floor, a wrap around extension has been created featuring a modern and contemporary kitchen dining area leading on to the garden. A large set of sliding glass doors provides natural daylight and access to the outdoor space, but their effectiveness at delivering enough daylight is limited as you go deeper into the building where it would begin to feel darker and more claustrophobic.To address this, a Glazing Vision modular rooflight system measuring over six metres in length runs along the entire length of the extension, this unit is fixed structurally to the original wall of the building creating the feeling of a ‘glass roof’ when transitioning from the original building to the new. Manufacturing the unit in three sections allowed it to be successfully maneuvered on site without the use for an expensive crane and the structural silicone joints between the sections maintained the frameless appearance needed to compliment the minimalist interior.“All three rooflights were quite tricky to install because the property was a terraced house and there was no ability to use a crane. Somehow the team got them in!” Robert Haworth, Director, Linework Architects.The creation of a second storey extension was essential to provide a large family bathroom space, but this meant that the stairwell leading to it was another area potentially starved of natural daylight. Installing a rooflight overhead was a logical solution, but this was complicated by the position of the stairwell being located beneath two opposing pitched roofs. An off the shelf solution would not be acceptable as any rooflight installed above would need to be designed to accommodate this tricky detail.As rooflight specialists, Glazing Vision were able to design and manufacture a custom shaped fixed Flushglaze unit specifically for this part of the building.Therefore maximising the amount of overhead glazing and thus lighting the stairwell sufficiently so that it can be used safely without the need for artificial lighting. Perhaps one of the most quirky and inventive parts of this renovation is the use of glazing in the bathroom, the client had specified a large walk-in shower area which was easily achievable given the space available but would have resulted in the shower being located in a dark corner of the room necessitating the use of artificial lighting. Natural daylight is critical when attempting to achieve a minimalist scheme, so Linework Architects wanted to ensure that this element was carried through to all corners of the building.“We were trying to make a really exceptional bathroom space, so we decided to use the Eaves Rooflight, and play with the glass transparencies.” Robert Haworth, Director, Linework Architects.The resulting installation delivers a floor to ceiling vertical glass window section which transitions into the roof seamlessly with no additional framework, this creative solution provides a unique design element to the bathroom and the much-needed daylight to open up the space. Being a bathroom, privacy also had to be addressed, particularly in the shower area! Glazing Vision recommended the use of opaque satin etched glass which provides enough translucency to allow light to permeate, but also presents a frosted glass finish sparing the blushes of anyone using the shower.Taking around five months to complete, this was not a straightforward scheme to deliver, however the end result can be considered transformative. Linework Architects uncompromising and inventive use of glass rooflights has proved incredibly successful in this project and contributed greatly to the feeling of light, air, and space in this minimalist haven.

The new build £75m project is part of the regeneration of the Temple Quarter enterprise zone in the city and includes a new office development at 3 Glass Wharf. The office building which will be occupied by HMRC, features a shimmering external envelope with an amalgamation of glazed units and rainscreen panels finished in a palette of champagne and sea foam green. The result is an external facade that creates a symmetry with both the surrounding buildings and its proximity to the riverside area. Metalline supplied and manufactured over 3000m2 of bespoke aluminium rainscreen panels which included large 4.0metre x 2.0metre panels featuring a 3D effect diagonal crease across each panel to enhance the light and shaded appearance of the façade. Each of these panels were finished and delivered in batch quantity to ensure continuity of colour. Working closely with Darling Associates and Glassolutions, Metalline produced a special bespoke support bracket to accommodate the 3D effect panels. These were pre-assembled in factory-controlled conditions to shorten installation time on site. Metalline also supplied a range of aluminium interlocking soffits in varying lengths and widths that create an eye-catching feature to each of the 8 storey balconies. Metalline has continued to invest in state-of-the-art machinery and has led the industry with having capacity to process material of up to 6.0metres, this includes a custom made 6.5metre vacuum bonding tent press, 6.0metre press brake and router beds. This investment has given Metalline the ability to offer solutions for designers and architects that previously were not available.

ASF had already manufactured and supplied stainless steel street furniture and the ASF 5006 hand rail system to the Bradford Library refurbishment project. We were approached to offer our channel fixed glass as infill panels for slate piers on the pedestrian walkway. Toughened glass panels were supplied in an invisible fix channel with a loading certified to 3kN. (Higher loadings are available).

The A’DAM Tower is a well-known landmark in Amsterdam, the building rises to almost 100 metres and provides views over the whole city. Its renovation involved adding a glass balcony balustrade around the rooftop terrace. Q-railing agreed the use of the Easy Glass Max system with architect OeverZaaijer Architecture (OZ). This high-grade glass balcony railing solution can cope with line loads in excess of 5 kN/m, with modern looks and maximum transparency. OZ were immediately convinced that Easy Glass Max was a perfect fit. In total, 110 metres of railing were installed.

Q-railing was asked by Bond Bryan Architects to provide specifications for a glass balustrade that would surround the escalator void on all 3 floors. The Q-railing architectural team was involved very early in the design process and could therefore provide tailored advice on which type of balustrade and fixing to use. The Easy Glass Slim glass balustrade contributes to the state-of-the-art appearance of the new building. This flagship showroom now is a natural fit with what VW wants to reflect: continuing growth and success.

The vibrant city of Amsterdam has a stunning new architectural highlight. Discover De Boelelaan, a modern building containing both residential and office space. The feature that really sets it apart is a magnificent rooftop garden. Safety barriers are an essential feature. Q-railing’s Easy Glass Pro glass balustrade system offers maximum transparency with the highest standards of safety. In this case, the balustrade is frameless, with a minimalist U-shaped stainless steel Q-railing profile on top. The 245 metres of glass railing also provide a useful wind break.

Volksbank Kleverland’s new customer centre is an eye-catching architectural masterpiece. The interior of the bank office consisted of curved and tapering shapes. This required bendable railings and a flexible solution for alignment of the glass infills. A combination of Q-railing’s Easy Glass Slim and Easy Glass Pro glass balustrade systems was the perfect fit. Easy Glass Slim had previously been installed with a bend radius of less than 500 mm, which is unique in the market. In total, more than 130 metres of glass railing was installed on the upper floors and stairways.

Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund is the largest stadium in Germany and home to Borussia Dortmund football club. Its shop was replaced by a spectacular new FanWorld, from where not only merchandise and tickets are sold, but also events are hosted and the BVB brand is experienced. The architectural design contributes to the brand experience without overpowering it. Transparency and safety are key. Q-railing’s Easy Glass Slim and Easy Glass 3kN glass balustrades were a solution for both the interior and exterior stairways and balustrades, including curved base shoes, glass and cap rails.

The integration of an aluminium flat glass rooflight with solar control glass in this residential project successfully achieves the objective of maximizing natural light while mitigating excessive heat gain. The careful selection of glazing materials, orientation, and frame design creates an energy-efficient and visually appealing architectural feature. The homeowners can enjoy the benefits of ample natural light, enhanced thermal comfort, and reduced energy consumption, ultimately creating a sustainable and comfortable living space.

Vienna Central station is a new, state-of-the-art railway station. The key architectural idea: Vienna should be open and free of barriers. Open halls, wide stairways and ceiling apertures create a sense of space and freedom. Simplicity and lightness are balanced by the use of high-grade materials such as natural stone and glass. About 1,100 metres of Q-railing’s oval-shaped, stainless steel Easy Glass cap rail on staircases throughout the station is a perfect example of this preference for quality. It also responded to the project’s demanding safety and accessibility requirements.

Located in Manaus, the heart of the Brazilian rain forest, the Arena Amazônia stadium was a FIFA World Cup 2014 venue. It features Q-railing glass railings, posted balustrades and handrails. The handrails and railings run between stadium areas and are used in staircases and exits. Faced with stringent requirements, Q-railing’s record in other stadium projects spoke volumes. Nearly 8,000 metres of Q-railing products were installed, including Easy Glass Slim, Easy Glass 3kN glass balustrades and Q-line baluster railings. Q-railing products, with their clean, contemporary design, are a perfect match for its unique architecture.

Canal were approached to manufacture and install an exclusive feature staircase for a private residence in Derby. The Cantilever staircase structure was manufactured in mild steel and features American Black Walnut box treads with a laminated glass balustrade.The upper floor featured structural glass balustrading with a stainless-steel slotted handrail that connected to the staircase structure. The handrail was fully welded, satin polished and featured a floating balustrade. The treads underneath the staircase featured strip lights to create ambience and blended perfectly with the contemporary and minimalistic features of the property. The client commented that the finished structure ‘looked superb and was pleased with the overall result’At Canal Architectural we take on board all specification requirements to ensure that the finished staircase design is functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing. The Canal site team worked closely with the contractor to ensure smooth fitting in line with current UK building regulations.

The Building Centre, London’s premier architecture and construction gallery, invited Q-railing to re-design its central staircase. It supplied a staircase balustrade with LED lit handrails and a frameless glass balustrade for the void. John Bonning, the Building Centre’s commercial director said: “We applied glass risers to each solid oak tread, which safely created the same floating stair effect as the original but made the stair compliant with modern building regulations. The materials reflected the quality of the Building Centre, whilst drawing natural light into the lower gallery.”

Mono M311 Glass Infill Top FixOrbis OS211 Glass Infill Top Fix As part of the North West Fire PFI scheme, the Southport Community Fire Station provided improved facilities for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service.The client’s main objectives were to create well designed facilities to a high architectural standard and provide a safe and healthy environment. Designed and built by Balfour Beatty Construction, this new 6 bay station included community-orientated facilities, training facilities, rest rooms, additional office space and two staircases.In line with the client’s vision, Delta Balustrades were appointed by Balfour Beatty to design, supply and install handrails and balustrades to both staircases and an external balcony area. Combining a minimalistic look and feel with a high quality stainless steel finish, the Mono system with clear glass infill panels was chosen for the main staircase. For the rear stair and external areas, the Orbis system with powder coated uprights was chosen.

Unit 25 Cambridge Science Park is a state of the art facility providing laboratories and office space for Bio tech and Med Tech companies. This BREEAM Good facility was built by SDC and features an external façade of glass, metallic panels and fins for solar shading. At each corner of the building a chamfered picture frame feature of curtain walling and panels, adds to the modern design. Metalline who manufacture a range of architectural fabrications worked closely with MTW Architectural the specialist façade contractor to ensure that all materials were delivered on time and to exact specification. They supplied in excess of 1000m2 of A2 Ultima insulated panels, Unity interlocking rainscreen panels, interlocking soffits, copings, pressings and cills for the project.The picture frame finish to the corners of the building were finished in a slate grey polyester powder coating. The horizontal rainscreen panels used to break up the expanse of glass shown on the front of the building were finished in tiger drylac 068/70764 PPC This finish mimics an anodised finish and features on all four sides of the building 

Welcome to 120 Moorgate, a grade A office in the City of London. 3,000m2 of AGC ipasol Neutral 70/37 solar control double-glazing units and matching spandrel glazing was chosen for the facade of this extensive refurbishment project completed in 2020.In order to meet the demands of today's contemporary workspaces, a new facade was needed in order to improve the energy and acoustic comfort for occupants. With seven floors of full-height glazing, the ipasol Neutral 70/37 double glazing specification allows for the highest level of daylight and connection with the outside environment whilst protecting against overheating thanks to its solar gain reduction properties (g-value of 0.37). The fastest growing use of energy in buildings is for cooling, so harnessing existing technologies such as solar control glass can contribute to a sustainable building strategy.A low U-value of 1.0W/m².K was also a given, in view of the facade's thermal insulation requirements. Laminated glass was also incorporated in the specification of the double-glazing units as an acoustic enhancement to help protect against nuisance noise and also as a safety measure since the full-height glazing is accessible from interior spaces.Design work by Darling Associates and installation undertaken by specialist facade contractor Anglian Architectural.120 Moorgate is rated BREEAM Very Good.

Planet used p100 demountable double-glazed screens for all the classroom frontages and set black laminated timber classroom doors, and for the offices, 30-minuet fire-rated glass doors into our white aluminium slimline door frames. P20 single-glazed demountable partitioning features in the library and sixth form, which includes a gap between each panel of glass, an aesthetic feature to complement the internal atrium glazing. Eclipse sliding doors were used throughout. Planet's Architectural Glass' in-house design team worked with Aedas to make sure the angled atrium glass was in line with the design intent.

Orbis OS211 Glass Infill Top FixThe Birkenhead Community Fire Station was completed in 2013, as part of the North West Fire PFI scheme, a framework of 16 fire stations across North West England. The client’s main objectives were to provide a safe and healthy environment with improved facilities for firefighters and other personnel.Following demolition of the existing fire station, the design and construction of this multi-appliance station, led by Balfour Beatty Construction, included community orientated facilities, training facilities, rest rooms, additional office space and two communal staircases. At early design stages, Delta Balustrades worked closely with Balfour Beatty to meet the client’s objectives of creating well designed facilities to a high architectural standard. The Orbis system was chosen as a cost-effective, high-quality tubular balustrade solution for both staircases.The main stair boasted a brushed stainless steel finish with unique Banjo glass fixings. Savings were made on the rear stairs by selecting powder coated uprights and D type glass fixings.

Located within easy distance of the University of Edinburgh, this six-storey development provides 52 studio apartments for the city’ vibrant student community.Designed by Yeoman McAllister, the stone clad building complements the existing architecture of the area, while the high-performance aluminium fenestration package from Senior Architectural Systems provides a modern and compliant solution.Senior’s thermally-efficient SPW600e aluminium windows, installed with Louvre Guards in front of the opening lights, have been used throughout, combining a robust and secure construction with slim frames to frame far-reaching views of the city and ensure effective levels of daylighting. The main and communal areas benefit from Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and low U-value PURe® Commercial Doors.Senior worked closely with main contractor Clark Contracts and fabricator partner GG Glass to deliver the scheme which has received wide praise for the quality of its accommodation and convenient links to several of Edinburgh’s main university campuses.

Contemporary architecture often uses curved profiles to create a clean architectural finish. Now, there is a growing market for domestic curved balcony balustrade.A homeowner in Cornwall approached us looking for a curved glass balustrade for their home. We were more than happy to provide a couple of solutions using one of our patented glass balustrade systems. Primarily, Pure Vista proposed two solutions for this home project in Cornwall, both using our ORIGIN-R balustrade system. ORIGIN-R is appropriate for domestic balconies because it achieves 1.5kN, the building regulation that applies to potentially dangerous drops in domestic, single use properties. It’s also the only Pure Vista balustrade channel that can be manufactured as a curved profile, making it the best solution for a curved installation. The first option is the most aesthetically pleasing, for a curved installation is using curved glass inside a curved ORIGIN-R channel. However, this requires the system to be wet-glazed, something that the customer decided against. So, as an alternative to the wet-glazed curved solution, we proposed and ultimately supplied, a faceted curve balustrade solution using straight sections of channel with mitre joints to follow the curved line of the balcony. The installation itself was taken care of by Camel Glass who are specialist architectural glass installers, also based in Cornwall. The result is this fantastic balcony with a railing that allows the customer to see their view, the garden and stay protected from the Cornish breeze. The silver hand railing along the top provides an aesthetically pleasing edge that connects the stairs and the balcony. Please take a look at the images below for a closer look.

Most commonly, we undertake domestic dwarf balcony projects as retrofits on older buildings, which were built to meet lower balustrade height regulations than we have on new buildings today.The extra height provided by a glass balustrade gives the user added protection from the wind as well as providing a more comprehensive safety feature. In this domestic dwarf balcony installation in Devon however, the architect opted for a dwarf balcony from the outset because it created a useful balance between the feeling of security that the homeowners who had young children desired, whilst maintaining the most important aspect of the view, which is eye level as you sit on the balcony looking out.Pure Vista proposed using SPIG-LITEpro for this installation.SPIG-LITEpro is a domestic appropriate product that achieves up to 0.74kN in line with building regulations for a single use domestic property. One of the benefits of using SPIG-LITEpro as a dwarf balcony solution, is that it is spigot-based rather than channel-based, meaning that the balustrade system doesn’t encroach on the view – a significant consideration when the glass is only partial-height. The SPIG-LITEpro system is highly aesthetically pleasing, looking stunning alongside both contemporary and traditional architecture. The installation itself was taken care of by Camel Glass who are specialist architectural glass installers, also based in Cornwall. 

The new HMRC regional hub at the Arena Central complex in Birmingham has provided over 240,000 sqft of grade A commercial space over its ground and 13 upper floors. The building features an external envelope of geometric glass and aluminium facades that create an iconic feature to this area of central Birmingham. Working closely with the façade contractor NACWL, specialist architectural metal fabricator Metalline have manufactured and supplied over 9000 m2 of aluminium Unity Rainscreen Panels from their recently extended facility in Cannock. Delivery which commenced in September was completed within 10 weeks. The specification also included over 5000 m2 of Ultima Insulated Spandrel panels along with soffits, column casings and transition panels. The detailed design of the building’s façade demanded a uniformity of colours which was achieved using a single ingot of J57S Up aluminium. The Ultima Insulated Spandrel Panels were finished in a black polyester powder coating. The individual Unity rainscreen panels were supplied in a two – tone specialist 1934 and 1953 Unatex silver anodised finish.

Britannia Leisure Centre is a new multi-sport community complex in Hackney. A key driver for the client was that the building should have a compact footprint. This was achieved by stacking the facilities, creating a rooftop MUGA with tennis courts and 5-a-side football pitches.Lang+Fulton supplied the external grating panels which crown the building and offer panoramic views of London. These were made from their Terra-34 grating which features an anti-climb aperture. The narrow panels were designed to continue the architectural theme of the building’s columns and vertical elements and were finished in a graphite grey ppc to compliment the neutral palette of stone, concrete and glass.In addition a grating screen was supplied to secure the upper levels of the stairway providing natural daylight and through visibility to the entrance atrium and cafe area.The steel grating also conformed to the requirement for material durability and low maintenance which were key specification considerations.Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney has written, 'I am so proud that we have delivered one of London’s best leisure centres, with absolutely incredible facilities that are affordable for people to enjoy'.The Britannia Leisure Centre has received multiple awards including Overall Building of the Year (New London Architecture).

EKU Porta Glass – the elegant all-glass sliding door system is being used in the newly built offices of Solid Energy in New Zealand. The building is home to the company’s headquarters in New Zealand and is especially captivating because of its individual architectural appeal.A highly modern and ecologically pioneering office building came into existence based on the plans by the architects Wilson and Hill Architects, in a popular business park in Christchurch. EKU Porta Glass architectural sliding door hardware is the perfect choice for designer glass doors in upscale living rooms and office spaces.

A frameless curved glass balustrade and mezzanine balustrade for a conversion project in Oxford.

Extensive use of glass, and the careful articulation of forms, ensure a wonderful feeling of openness, whatever side you view it from. Q-railing’s Easy Glass 3kN glass balustrade system more than fulfilled the demanding safety requirements while still providing maximum transparency. In total, around 600 metres of glass balustrade were installed alongside stairs and landings. Attractive finishing touches were provided by wooden handrails and base shoes powder-coated in black.

In Vlaardingen Museum, the Netherlands, old meets new. The use of concrete, aluminium and glass creates a powerful sense of open space and transparency. The many level changes and loft-like spaces meant it was important to find a balustrade solution unobstructed by a conventional handrail or metal grip. The Easy Glass Pro structural glass balustrade offered the ability to make fine adjustments to the positioning of each glass panel from the installation side – invaluable when being installed on the various sections of finished concrete flooring levels.

The design of the new University of Gibraltar building emphasises transparency and openness while retaining the integrity of the historic structure. Glazed facades and glass balustrades are positioned in striking contrast with original structures such as brick vaults. Fusing a historic fabric with modern design elements presented numerous challenges. It required close cooperation between Q-railing and the architect. In all the glass balustrade systems, they needed to achieve a demanding resistance parameter, in accordance with British Standards. Q-railing provided the Easy Glass Pro structural glass railing and constructed and tested the balustrade, certifying values required by Building Control.

The 10 apartment buildings of the Cerisier Residences development in Bertrange, Luxembourg are surrounded by green spaces. The balconies with glass railings make for a stunning, modern appearance. Q-railing’s Easy Glass Slim glass balustrade system was identified as the perfect fit. It's extremely cost-efficient, since it is quick and easy to install – an important factor, given that more than 1,600 metres of glass balustrade were required for outside balconies and penthouse roof terraces.

The Brimstone is a luxury boutique hotel. It is located in the beautiful Lake District, and their view of the famous Langdale Pikes would be difficult to beat. In order to provide a clear view of the countryside, the balconies of the rooms and suites were fitted with Q-railing's Easy Glass Slim all-glass balustrades. The railing system's large glass expanses, maximising light and visibility, plus unbeatable quality and safety, made it the obvious choice. A total of 116 metres of glass balcony balustrades were installed in just 2 weeks.

Over 200 linear metres of Q-railing's Easy Glass Slim full glass balustrade feature in this high-tech spectrometry research centre. This is one of the sleekest and most affordable systems in Q-railing’s range of minimalist glass balustrade systems. 175 metres of structural glass railing were installed to the atrium, and a further 25 metres were used on the two staircases leading up to the atrium level. Q-railing was selected for the high quality finish and ease of assembly, which speeds up installation while able to achieve the loadings required.

Glass Films worked alongside Peach Design to supply our SX-1254 Reeded Glass Film to a Financial Institution located in Paddington, London, UK. Our stunning decorative glass film was used in breakout areas, an open place office and a gym.

Parc Central shopping centre in Tarragona, Spain, has been one of the leading shopping centres in the Tarragona province. In 2013 the second floor was fully refurbished. For the interior, the architects chose Easy Glass MOD 0760 balustrade and a combination of stainless steel and wooden handrails. On the roof terrace 100 metres Easy Glass Slim were installed, with a stainless steel cap rail to create a stylish finish. The full glass balustrade ensures the safety of people sitting outside while they enjoy a clear view of the surroundings.

Hall 90 B is Volkswagen’s new centrepiece facility for the development of electromobility. The building brings a new dimension to Volkswagen’s e-campus. Q-railing’s easy to install Easy Glass Slim glass balustrade system provided the architects with an affordable and slender solution that contributes to the open feel of the interior design. Around 800 metres of glass railing, topped with a high-grade stainless steel cap rail, were installed on the building’s galleries and bridges.

Skolegade, a street in the Danish city Aarhus, is known for its interesting restaurants, pubs and characterful timber-framed homes. A brand new three storey apartment building was added to the street. The spacious apartments each have access to an ample balcony surrounded by an Easy Glass Slim full glass balustrade. These balustrades allow maximum visibility of the building’s facade, with its striking steel structures. Easy Glass Slim was installed without making any special adjustments to the existing design. The back of the building features Q-railing Juliet balconies.

Glass Films worked alongside Peach Design to supply our SX-1254 Reeded Glass Film to a Real Estate Investment Office located in Islington, London, UK. Our stunning decorative glass film was used in the office's breakout areas and reception.