September 18, 2014

Modern Glazing on Contemporary New Builds

Written by Rebecca Clayton

How to Improve Natural Light in Narrow Properties
An outdated bungalow was knocked down to make way for this modern family home An outdated bungalow was knocked down to make way for this modern family home

When creating a new building rather than renovating an existing one you can achieve a lot more freedom when it comes to design and scale of build.

Window depths are not governed by existing walls, door heights not governed by existing ceilings and the design can be entirely new and fresh.

With available building space at a minimum, especially in London and surrounding areas, there is a trend towards the ‘from scratch’ method – knock it down and start again.

The original home was knocked down and this contemporary design built in its place The original home was knocked down and this contemporary design built in its place

IQ recently completed on a knock down rebuild home in Hampstead where the traditional detached house was flattened to make way for a modern family home with a focus on contemporary design.

The design included a new palatial basement space, including swimming pool, gym and home cinema. A recessed courtyard in the rear garden, walled with IQ’s minimally framed sliding glass doors, allows natural light to enter this large underground space and allows access from the basement to the garden.

On the front elevation interesting configurations and shaped windows bring light into the front rooms with obscured or translucent glass being used to afford privacy to the bathroom areas.  By including a translucent interlayer into a glass panel you can maintain privacy to areas like bathrooms without having to compromise window light in a modern contemporary way.

The double height glass box used sliding doors to the base and fixed units above The double height glass box used sliding doors to the base and fixed units above

A feature of the build is a rear protruding glass box that spans the two over ground storey of the house. The internal double height void creates a grand feeling of space within the rear living spaces and allows natural light to be spread evenly through both living levels.

You can see that the box is shaped for a slightly quirky appearance with the sliding glass doors sloped at the sides to accommodate the shape of the space.

A central spiralled staircase is surrounded by a complex construction of frameless glass balustrades, funnelling light through the centre of the large house.

A feature glass staircase with frameless glass balustrades A feature glass staircase with frameless glass balustrades

All of these interesting and attractive design aspects would not have been possible to include simply by renovating the house that originally stood on the plot. By knocking down the house and rebuilding the designers were given a much greater breadth of design freedom to create a house that the clients really wanted.

You can view our Pinterest Board – Contemporary New Builds – for design inspiration for your own project.

Speak to IQ Glass about ways in which you can include contemporary glazing to your new build home and visit our showroom in Amersham for more design inspiration.

01494 722 880 | www.iqglassuk.com | hello@iqglassuk.com


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