Internal Glass Draught Lobby: Merton College Chapel, Oxford | IQ Projects

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Glass Atrium
Merton College

IQ designed, engineered, and installed a bespoke internal glass draught lobby at the entrance of Merton College Chapel, one of Oxford’s finest examples of 13th-century Gothic architecture. The project demanded exceptional sensitivity and technical precision due to the chapel’s Grade I listing, original medieval stonework, and active daily use by students and the wider community.

Our design of the internal glass draught lobby addressed several critical challenges: reducing heat loss, preventing draughts, enhancing acoustic comfort, and preserving the chapel’s historic aesthetic. Its entrance now features a highly transparent and sophisticated internal glass draught lobby that respects and highlights the existing architectural fabric.

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Location

Exeter, UK

Internal glass draught lobby - Merton College - IQ Projects

At the heart of the daught lobby installation are single-glazed laminated glass screens supported by precision-engineered bronze metalwork in an elegant Bronze Metal Antique (BMA) finish. The frameless glass units were precisely measured using advanced laser-scanning technology, enabling the custom fabrication of glass and metalwork that fits seamlessly with the irregular medieval walls and stone flooring.

Central to the design of this internal glass draught lobby is an automated sliding glass door, discreetly operated by a concealed mechanism hidden within the chapel’s existing ceiling. The glass panel glides smoothly to open, controlled by push-button activation points discreetly set into bronze posts. Additional security features include integrated card-reader functionality for staff, a safety mechanism stopping the sliding door precisely 210mm from adjacent walls, and a direct linkage to the building’s fire alarm system for regulatory compliance.

Due to the sensitive heritage environment, IQ’s engineering team employed reversible anchoring techniques, ensuring the original stonework and historic fabric remained fully intact and protected throughout the installation process. All structural fixings and metal detailing were carefully chosen not only for their heritage compatibility but also for ease of potential future removal, adhering strictly to conservation best practices.

Installation of the internal glass draught lobby required careful logistical planning, with all works scheduled outside of peak operating hours. Specialised lifting equipment and precision suction devices were utilised to position the large glass panels safely within confined, delicate interior spaces. This meticulous approach ensured minimal disruption and safeguarded the chapel’s priceless architecture.

The completed glass lobby has dramatically improved thermal insulation and acoustic buffering at the chapel entrance, creating a noticeably warmer, quieter internal environment; a huge comfort to worshippers. The refined transparency of the glass installation also complements the chapel’s existing aesthetics, framing rather than concealing historic features.

Looking to transform your space with an internal glass draught lobby? Contact us now.