Glazed atrium adds light and space to a restaurant in Wythall

As part of a full restaurant redevelopment, Pesto at the White Swan in Wythall sought to increase covers while enhancing the dining experience for customers and preserving the existing building’s character. A Solarlux Atrium Plus enclosed glazed canopy and Proline S sliding glass doors were selected to extend the dining area, providing an adaptable, contemporary indoor-outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round.

Working with Amazing Space Concepts and architect JS Partnership, Solarlux delivered an expansive glass-and-aluminium structure that combined aesthetics, performance and functionality, while also meeting planning requirements and aligning with the restaurant brand’s identity.

The finished atrium featured precision-engineered sliding panels, automated awnings and high-performance heaters. Every component was meticulously planned, manufactured and installed to ensure visual impact, ease of use and consistent year-round comfort.

Positioned just off the main road, Pesto at the White Swan was previously a Stonehouse Carvery. The redevelopment project aimed to transform the space into a contemporary Italian restaurant capable of accommodating more guests while maintaining its welcoming pub aesthetic.

Solarlux worked with Amazing Space Concepts to create a bespoke, visually distinctive glass extension for the front of the restaurant using the Atrium Plus glass canopy system.

Manufactured from precision-engineered aluminium profiles and finished in RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey, the finished structure measures 14,000mm in width with a 5,450mm projection and a 900mm front roof overhang designed to meet the client’s architectural brief.

The structure delivers both durability and a refined architectural finish that enhances the building’s appearance and draws customer interest. It also provides a light-filled all-season dining environment that balances openness with shelter and thermal comfort.

The front elevation incorporates four independent sets of Solarlux Proline S sliding panels, which can be opened when the weather permits, providing ventilation and a sense of alfresco dining. When the panels are closed, their frameless design offers maximum natural light and uninterrupted views to the outdoors.

One end elevation features an SL45 double-door system with fixed side lights, providing access. The opposing elevation features fixed glazing panels, which contribute to structural integrity while providing uninterrupted sightlines.

Quality, durability and day-to-day usability were central to the project brief. As a high-traffic hospitality environment, the space needed to perform reliably under constant use, while also delivering effective protection from the elements, managing solar gain and maintaining a comfortable internal environment throughout the year.

Guy Webster, managing director of Amazing Space Concepts, explains that this required targeted reinforcement at key junctions:

“We’ve over-engineered the system a little bit to achieve the required span. We’ve added reinforcement in the corners and the eaves beam to ensure that the product withstands the elements.

The Atrium Plus system was selected not only for its structural capability, but for its ability to meet both technical and aesthetic requirements without compromise.

“Designing a solution that aesthetically and technically met the requirements in tandem was something only Solarlux were able to do,” continues Guy. “There is a risk – when sourcing from other manufacturers – that products look good at first, but they may fail technically over time. That’s where the engineering quality really makes the difference, and Solarlux provides both the aesthetics and the long-term performance that commercial customers, especially, require.”

Despite the level of engineering involved, the Solarlux bespoke glazed atrium still represented value for the client.

“The spend per square metre to achieve this level of quality is significantly less than refitting the restaurant itself. So, it’s actually very economical and adds a feature to the front of the building that’s both eye-catching and commercially effective,” Guy explains.

A key requirement for the client was the ability to use the space throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions. This placed significant emphasis on both structural and thermal performance, ensuring the space could withstand external conditions while maintaining internal comfort.

To achieve this, the Atrium Plus system was engineered to meet demanding structural and environmental requirements. Due to the scale of the installation and its exposed position, the glazed atrium was designed to withstand significant wind and snow loads, achieving snow load performance in excess of 125kg/m² and wind load resistance above 750kg/m².

While the Atrium Plus and Proline S systems are not insulated, they still deliver effective thermal performance to meet the requirements of Approved Document L: Conservation of Fuel and Power. This helps to maintain thermal comfort for visitors and reduces the cost of heating the dining area.

The Atrium Plus also includes integrated ventilation, which contributes to indoor air quality and allows excess moisture to escape, thereby reducing the risk of condensation on the glass walls. In suitable weather, the sliding panels and doors can also be opened to allow in fresh air.

Commenting on the thermal weather and performance of the atrium, Chris Riddle, sales manager at Solarlux explains that the warmth and comfort it delivers is often a pleasant surprise for customers.

“It’s not a traditional dining experience in the UK, so people don’t always understand it. They automatically think that it might be cold or uncomfortable – but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he says.

“People want to sit outdoors in the UK, but the weather doesn’t always allow for that. Having something like this brings the outdoors indoors. You can sit out here and be shielded from the rain or wind or whatever the elements throw at you – and it’s a great environment to sit, have a delicious meal and an enjoyable evening,” he adds.

To further support year-round usability, the glazed atrium incorporates a range of integrated systems designed to manage temperature, solar gain and overall comfort.

Warema externally mounted SLM 100 awnings provide effective solar shading and help to reduce overheating during warmer periods. Manufactured in a bespoke colour to align with the restaurant’s branding, these can be easily controlled via a handheld control panel, allowing staff to respond quickly to changing conditions.

Heating is delivered through Bromic 2kW Smart-Heat Platinum ceramic heaters, discreetly mounted above seating areas to provide targeted radiant warmth without impacting the clean architectural lines of the structure.

Together, these elements allow the space to be carefully managed throughout the day and across the seasons. As Guy Webster explains: “The addition of the awnings, sliding doors and heaters means we can control the environment very effectively. It allows the space to be used all year round, throughout the day and into the evening.”

Restaurant staff also appreciate the flexibility that the system provides, as it allows them to easily adapt the space for customers’ comfort. “If it gets too warm, we can open the sliding doors. If it’s too sunny, we can close the blinds. It’s a really comfortable space, whatever the weather,” explains [Woman from video, job title].

A key advantage of the Atrium Plus system is that features such as heating and lighting can be integrated into the structure without compromising its clean lines and minimalist appearance. Wiring routes and mounting provisions for heaters and LED lighting were carefully coordinated during the design phase, ensuring all cabling and fixtures are discreetly concealed and securely installed.

As Guy Webster explains: “Nothing is taken for granted with a Solarlux system. Every profile has a purpose, and everything fits exactly as it should. That level of detailing is what ensures long-term performance.”

This level of detailing reflects Solarlux’s engineering approach, where every profile, connection and junction serves both structural and aesthetic purposes. In addition, the comfort these features provide to customers has proven highly effective in driving increased business for the restaurant.

Restaurant assistant manager, Grace Williams, notes: “Since installing the atrium, we’ve had customers calling specifically to book that space. Our weekends have been fully booked in advance with a significant rise in enquiries. We have had to turn customers away due to capacity, but it’s a great situation to be in, commercially.”

She adds: “Our customers love being in here, especially at night with all the lights and the sleek yet cosy feel the atrium brings.”

Clean tracks are essential for the smooth operation of sliding glazed panels and doors, but this can be difficult in a busy commercial environment. Justin explains that Solarlux systems are designed to support straightforward maintenance: “Atrium Plus sliding panels and Proline S sliding glass doors are designed so that ongoing maintenance is simple. This helps ensure the panels continue to operate smoothly, even with frequent daily use.”

The panels are also fitted with sliding locks that can be opened from the inside or out for convenience and ease of operation.

During early discussions, Guy notes that glazing systems from different manufacturers were considered. However, given the scale and the bespoke requirements of the project, it quickly became clear that the glazed extension needed to be reliable and durable, with a high-quality finish that would perform effectively for years to come.

“As soon as we began modelling the spans and reviewing long-term performance, it was evident that this needed to be engineered properly,” Guy explains. “There are cheaper structures on the market, but in a commercial hospitality setting – particularly one that’s highly visible from the road – structural integrity, detailing and finish quality are absolutely critical.”

Guy worked closely with Neil Gatt, founder of the Pesto restaurant group, to demonstrate how a premium engineered solution would elevate the redevelopment's aesthetic and deliver a stronger long-term return on investment.

“The right structure doesn’t just add covers – it enhances perception, increases demand and protects revenue across all seasons. In this case, investing in the correct engineering and finish quality was fundamental to achieving the right outcome for Pesto.”

Ultimately, the Solarlux Atrium Plus system was selected for its precision engineering, structural capability and refined architectural detailing.

“Solarlux products are versatile and engineered to last,” Guy says. “They stay watertight, adapt to complex design requirements and maintain performance over time. While the upfront cost may be higher than some alternatives, the long-term durability and reliability make it worth the money. Poorly designed systems might appear adequate at first but often create complex problems years later – issues that are difficult and costly to resolve.”

The Atrium Plus glazed canopy creates an extended, light-filled space that seamlessly carries the restaurant’s aesthetic while enhancing customer experience. Guy highlights how important this is for a UK business: “In a country where natural sunlight is limited, it was essential to design an area that welcomed as much daylight as possible, helping to establish a calm atmosphere and an inviting setting for customers to relax and enjoy time with friends and family.”

The Solarlux glazed extension achieves exactly that. Its minimal structural obstruction and wide expanses of glass bring in maximum daylight, giving the impression of being outdoors while maintaining the comfort of the interior.

The completed extension now forms a defining architectural feature of Pesto at The White Swan. Beyond increasing seating capacity by 50 covers, the glazed structure enhances visibility, draws the attention of people passing by, and strengthens the venue’s perceived quality.

Grace Williams, assistant manager explains the glazed structure’s appeal: “It’s not something you see very often in a restaurant or commercial space. Many customers have driven past, and the atrium has caught their attention, drawing them in.”

By selecting a premium engineered solution rather than a lower-cost alternative, the redevelopment has achieved a refined architectural finish that supports brand positioning, customer experience and long-term revenue performance.

“Premium engineering isn’t just about specification – it’s about long-term performance,” concludes Guy. “For a hospitality operator, reliability, aesthetic quality and structural integrity directly impact revenue. Solarlux delivered the level of engineering this project demanded.”

The Atrium Plus system demonstrates how a precision-engineered glazed structure can deliver both architectural impact and measurable commercial benefits in a hospitality setting.

To learn more about Atrium Plus or explore how Solarlux commercial glazed structures could elevate your next project, contact the Solarlux team today.

Photographer: Gavin Percy 

Partner: Amazing Spaces Concepts

Architect: JS Design Partnerships

Products: Atrium Plus, Proline T