Blending a traditional stone home with a modern glass extensions

Once upon a time, conservatories were the answer to home extensions requiring more light and outdoor living. The traditional uPVC solution has proven to fail at maintaining a useable temperature in the space all year round. Due to its lack of insulation properties, conservatories are notorious for creating a space too cold in the winter and an incredibly hot space in the summer. Without the excessive use of heaters/radiators, the space becomes pretty much obsolete in the two extreme seasons.

Located in the countryside of Cork, a 200-year old bungalow, made from stone ruins, sits with an abundance of character and history. On the side, used to sit a large conservatory which had lost its purpose, effectively creating a ‘dead’ space which could be utilised better. The homeowner approached Eco Window Concepts for a solution to replace the old conservatory.

The homeowner was introduced to the aluminium, German-engineered Solarlux products and was very quickly won over by the specialist glass extension structures. To replace the worn-out conservatory, the homeowner worked with Clive at Eco Window Concepts to create an SDL Akzent Plussystem, a stark contrast of modern and heritage architecture.

The Akzent Plus glass extension was designed for the pure purpose of creating an extended part of the bungalow which could be used as the focal point, social hub and front seat to the stunning view of the countryside and sea.

The homeowner shares “we wanted something we could use as a living space. Having the conservatory there before was very flimsy but gave us the idea of how a glass extension could feel if well insulated.” He continues, “the most important element for us was creating an expansive glass wall with as little interference as possible to maximise the view.”  

The only solution for a minimal obstructed view was combining the SDL Akzent Plus system with fixed Highline panels underneath the structure. Not only are these panels engineered for insulation, the slender panel sightlines are less obstructive and more attractive. Offering a slim sightline of 99mm and a maximum height of 3.5 meters, the Highline system has been engineered to include the Solarlux bionicTURTLE®, a multi-functional break profile that combines a range of technical details. This innovation is what helps to keep the profiles slim, regardless of the size where these can go very large and heavy dependent on requirements. It also houses the locking mechanism and guarantees perfect insulation.

The innovation of the door has given the Highline many design awards. Not only is the system certified by PAS 24, it’s also certified and Secured by Design (SBD) accredited, complying with the UK official police security initiation working to improve the security of buildings. Justin Spires, Technical Manager at Solarlux explains “with more requirements for slimmer panels and larger glass spans, the security of the panels can be compromised. However, maintaining these British standards means the security is maintained, irrespective of panel size.”

Overlooking the Irish countryside and harbour, the view deserved a product that framed the outdoors for what it is, creating the idyllic setting for a living space and social hub. The homeowner explains “we use the space for pretty much everything, it has become the centre of the home. It’s a great spot for hosting parties and gatherings with friends and family, it’s transformed what was once a dead space into an all-year round usable setting.”

Originally, the homeowner had opted for the SDL Nobiles glass extension due to its sleek appearance and ability to match the structure of the original home. However, due to the design of the rafters and the shape required, this would not have resulted in an aesthetically pleasing solution. Clive Hannan, technical specialist of Eco Window Concepts worked closely with the homeowner to replicate the original idea, but with the Akzent Plus instead, which was made possible by the extensive range and flexibility of Solarlux glass extensions. As another benefit, the Akzent Plus is designed with sleek rafters giving the system a slimline and minimalist look.

With a structure that now replicates the silhouette of the bungalow, this project is a great example of how contemporary and heritage can work in tandem with the right design. The result is a fusion of Irish traditional architecture, rustic and historic, with a modern and minimalistic Solarlux addition.

Structurally, the foundations of the property were unlevelled and uneven due to the former stone foundation across the entire plot. Clive worked with the team to re-do the foundation, digging up its remains and starting again to ensure stability for the structure.

To maintain the aesthetic of the stone finish, the homeowner opted for the flooring to replicate a modern version of the external existing wall. This also required Solarlux to adjust the RAL colour of the structure to blend that contrast, seamlessly. Fortunately, all Solarlux products can be designed in over 30 different RAL colours, which made the Akzent Plus stand out amongst competitors.

Due to the property being a South-facing property, shading from direct sunlight was also a key requirement to address. Although we don’t see extreme temperatures in the UK or Ireland, glass penetrates the sun no matter the season, so this was a crucial element that needed a solid solution.

UK building regulations, including Approved Document O, place increasing importance on preventing overheating risk from the earliest design stages. Justin explains that there are several effective ways to reduce solar gain while preserving a highly glazed design and uninterrupted views. “Extentions like these with large spans of glass creates exceptional natural light and a strong connection to the outdoors, but thermal comfort must also be carefully considered with this. Taking the orientation of the building, solar shading and natural ventilation into consideration is key in controlling hear gain” he says.

Therefore, an electric awning was introduced to keep the glass extension cool in the summer months and out of direct sunlight, which can be controlled via a remote control, or a weather station if preferred. This has impacted the temperature of the glass extension, even in summer months, to remain comfortable and useable as the homeowner explains.

Solarlux work with a team of innovators to ensure issues as such can have an effective solution. For more information on glass extensions, get in touch with the team who will be happy to assist.

Photographer: Daniel Sumesgutner

Partner: Eco Window Concepts

Products: SDL Akzent Plus, Highline