Timber And Architectural Glazing In Commercial Building Design

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How to combine bespoke glazing and timber design elements?

Aluminium glazing and wooden accents architectural commercial design are growing in popularity, prominently in heritage commercial development projects. These two materials work well together, creating a strong contrast between modern and traditional aspects of architecture.

Timber and Architectural Glazing for Entrance Designs

The aesthetics of timber is enough for some people to specify wooden glazing solutions, although there is often not enough consideration of the low thermal values these systems often have when compared to aluminium or steel framed solutions.

The natural properties of wood offer a unique, elegant beauty and are the reason why people prefer the look, although there are techniques which can be used where glazing by IQ can be seamlessly combined with wooden elements, particularly in grand entrance designs.

Exeter Cathedral

Specialist glazing technologies were chosen for the entranceway to Exeter Cathedral, and frameless glass arches and frameless glass doors were installed to create an entrance design that protects the area from draughts. The sensitively designed single glazing is extremely subtle in design, with a solid wood structure to enhance the traditional aesthetic inside the Grade I listed building; IQ designed specialist connections for the wood to maintain the structure of the internal glazing, further ensuring that the final desired design was achieved.

Timber and Architectural Glazing in Educational Design

How timber is engineered creates flexibility in design due to the many varied applications of the traditional material, and the availability to manipulate wood into varied shapes and sizes creates limitless opportunities for both interiors and exteriors. There are various types of wood which can be used on.

Health and wellbeing are a priority for many educational developments to develop designs which will promote productivity, including the use of biophilic materials. Educational buildings with biophilic design, particularly with timber, have shown to have benefits which are naturally calming to the users of the space.

The simple combination of plants and wooden interiors can significantly improve indoor air quality through effective humidity regulation and the removal of CO2 from the air, which is commonly built up in enclosed spaces. Combining wood and glazing into areas like this, where there is a common build-up of CO2, creates ventilation questions; the use of slim framed glazing solutions and automated rooflights are often glazing solutions which are sought after to allow natural light to enter the space while allowing ventilation to enter these spaces.

St Johns College, Cambridge University

Bespoke glazing was specified for the 1500’s heritage building in the Cambridge university group, for the new design of the Buttery Café and bar. Designed by MCW Architects with a conscious ’Fabric first approach to protect the integrity, stability and conditions of the original historic fabric of St. Johns College, in keeping with the college’s sustainability factors, energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

Five bespoke-shaped automated ventilation rooflights were specified to be positioned on the top of a remarkable free-standing oak pavilion which was designed for the Buttery café and bar. The pavilions were a collaborative effort between the designers at MCW and Swiss timber specialists Blumer Lehman and the roofs were fabricated before work started on site to aid the building process of the overall project.

Jesus College, Cambridge University

This refurbishment and extension of a Grade II listed building is a perfect example of how to combine traditional and modern elements. This concept for an educational building design has so many complex features and the use of joinery combined with minimally framed and frameless glazing solutions results in a unique concept.

The innovative wooden structures around the building work towards keeping that traditional architecture style, and the joinery seen internally helps to forge a strong connection with the outdoors.

Find out more here.

Bespoke Timber and Glass Extensions for Commercial Buildings

Creating contrast in commercial buildings can be easily achieved by combining frameless and structural glazing solutions with wooden beams. Utilizing frameless structural glazing creates flexibility with where these wooden attributes can be positioned.

Chicheley Hall is a perfect example of this! The heritage Grade II listed building underwent a development which included a 23m long glass extension which followed the natural curve of the building, creating a faceted design. Kiln-dried oak was used throughout the design as the supporting structure created a cohesive design between the original fabric of the building and the new modern extension. Using wood that had been through a kiln drying process allows this specialist method to be suitable and durable.

Find out more about the specialist project.

Some of our favourite examples of architectural glazing and wooden accents

Pennybank

IQ Projects provided bespoke glazing solutions to new premium offices in London. Various EI30 steel framed fire-rated doors were specified to ensure a safe fire exit route from the top floors of the building. The glazing solutions were finished in a dark architectural bronze to match the industrial interior design, contrasting the wooden interior elements.

Using timber cladding to glass internally can be a great feature when creating a warm atmosphere and can even increase the perceived size of the space thanks to the use of timber, a material primarily found outside.

Find out more about our bespoke internal glazing solutions.

Snelsmore House

Snelsmore House is a heritage wedding venue that combines modern and traditional elements to create a unique interior design, including IQ’s bespoke steel glazing systems, aluminium sliding doors and wooden beams spanning the width of the ceiling.

Click to find out more about the double-height steel look slim sliding doors.

Get in touch with us to talk to the team about modern glazing with wooden features on your next commercial project.

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Chloe Thompson

After completing her undergrad degree in Interior design, Chloe decided to join the architectural glazing industry and now works on social media strategies, writes content and manages the day to day marketing for IQ's commercial division.