As part of the architects vision to incorporate as much outdoor space as possible, Glazing Vision supplied a range of bespoke rooflights to make the most of this natural source of light at Broombank, a RIBA award winning new build house designed by SOUP architects, situated on the edge of River Alde in Suffolk.

The brief, as stated by SOUP, was to ‘create a relaxed contemporary house within a reconsidered, “natural” landscape that blurred the site boundaries to its neighbours and adjoining marshland’. The location therefore remained a strong focal point throughout the entire project, with each aspect of the build designed to accentuate the stunning views of ‘outstanding natural beauty’.

The unfolding relationship between nature and architecture is maintained through the property via the carefully positioned rooflights that allow sunlight to pervade the building.

The central feature Glazing Vision supplied was a Bespoke ‘Eaves’ Flushglaze Rooflight [3650mm x 1685mm]. This was positioned within the stairwell, enabling light to flood into a typically dark, enclosed space using both horizontal and vertical sections of glass.

Glazing Vision’s ethos of ‘minimal framework’ made them the natural choice when it came to the roof glazing on this building. In order to achieve the goals of the design brief, the avoidance of visible framework was critical to the overall aesthetic.

The glass on the central feature rooflight appears to disappear into the building fabric, forming a seamless integration between the glass and building envelope.

Frameless glass finishes are not always easy to achieve. One of the critical design requirements of glass used in any building project is to resist the loads created by wind pressure and snow, as this can dictate the maximum single pane size permitted before the deflection of the glass exceeds what is considered safe. Glazing Vision calculated the appropriate thickness and type of glass to meet the specified requirements. After initially assessing the unit and the deflection of glass to wind pressure, Glazing Vision felt that there might have been a risk of fracture, due to the sheer size of the horizontal pane.

The rooflight therefore had to be considered with a new specification to deliver the appropriate safety requirements. Glazing Vision’s standard glass specification of 6mm toughened glass was increased to 10mm thickness on the horizontal plane in order to minimize deflection. The eaves unit was designed in house at Glazing Vision by one of their experienced cad designers, before being expertly installed to meet the new specification.

Without these revisions, further framework would have been needed to support the horizontal pane of glass; splitting the pane into two sections in order to strengthen the large unit. Ultimately, the overall flow of the glass and minimalist appearance of the property would have been interrupted.

The homeowner’s requirement for a haven of peace and tranquillity was fulfilled, primarily due to the carefully planned use of light and space throughout the design build.