has recently completed a small contemporary glass extension to a riverside coffee shop in Tonbridge. The glass extension to Gilbert House in River Walk uses a frameless structural glass roof with supporting glass beams, two sets of aluminium bi folding doors were used allows the aperture to open up – perfect for the warmer days.

Renovation work began on the riverside building in summer 2015 with the aim to transform a derelict building into a warm and inviting coffee shop ‘with a purpose’.

The building, originally built in 1924, was formerly the office of a local water company, but it has now become the home of new ventures for the local area, becoming a community hub for the local community and helping to fund good causes.

The aluminium bi folding doors meet at the corner steel post of the glass extension, enabling the glazed extension to be opened up on two sides. The three leaf bifold door concertinas open towards the wall outside of the building. This configuration helps maintain the space within the small glass extension. The two leaf bifold door on the adjacent elevation folds inwards within the glass extension and folds back against an internal wall.

The nature of this small box design means that the slim framing of the aluminium bifold doors was crucial to maximising the amount of glazing to the glass box extension. The purpose of this small glass extension was to extend the coffee shop and maximise the riverside views and natural light throughout.

The structural glass roof also helps to maximise the amount of natural light entering which is why the clients opted for frameless glass beams to support the slightly sloped glass roof and maintain a frameless appearance.