All Glass Extension

All Glass Extension

One of the first examples of all glass construction, a house in Hampstead was remodelled to create greater interaction with its garden. The kitchen, living and dining area to the lower ground floor have been restructured to include a unique garden room constructed purely of laminated heated glass.

With no precedent for a structure of heated double glazed glass and a total lack of interest or skills from the big UK glass manufacturers, the structural engineer Tim Macfarlane, the builder Pat Carter and Rick Mather Architects developed a completely new glazing system.

Roof and walls are formed by frameless double glazed panels with an invisible film that reflects heat, and conducts electricity. This generates radiant heat which is reflected into the building in winter, and solar gain out in summer, making it comfortable to use all year round. The panels are supported on three laminated glass beams and columns to make a completely transparent structure.

“Rick Mather 's recent addition to a Georgian cottage in Hampstead, London, shows how alternative solutions can be found so that glass once again shapes buildings.”

Feruccio Izzo, Domus