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The IQ Headquarters

The IQ Glass offices are a true representation of the company. Home to the showroom as well as the office, the space was designed to showcase some of our structural glazing systems as well as create a brightly lit working environment. When the showroom was renovated in 2021, a number of bespoke architectural glazing solutions were incorporated into the design to create a one-off, immersive showroom experience.

IQ worked with an architect to design an oversized glass façade, creating a highly glazed entrance design which floods the new reception area with natural light throughout the day. The design and installation of the glass façade were extremely complicated and required specialist lifting equipment to position the oversized panes before fixing them into place. Slim steel mullions were used on the internal face of the façade, to offer additional structural support whilst maintaining an extremely minimal design. A slim framed pivot door sits within the glass façade, acting as the main entrance door with a statement handle made of bronze.

Products Used

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The main area of the showroom is home to a number of moving elements, where automated glazing has been used to show bespoke engineered systems on a large scale. A 6.5m tall vertical sash window is situated next to a single pane sliding door, which slides behind the vertical sash window when opened via a dead man switch. Both automated glazing solutions are complete with a flush threshold that is suitable for driving over, powder coated in Axalta Horizon for a subtle design. A Glassmotion box houses the M.A.R.S and A.R.E.S opening rooflight systems, where architects and specifiers can see the automated rooflights from every angle.

Cantilevering over the glazing showroom, a floating glass meeting room is made entirely from frameless glass and structural silicone. The glass meeting room weighs over 5.4 tonnes in total and uses no mechanical fixings, a true representation of what the IQ team of designers can achieve with architectural glazing. Seemingly hanging over the showroom space below, the glass box uses low iron glass for the most transparent finish. All four of the walls, as well as the ceiling and floor, are made entirely of glass and have an extremely subtle design.

Inside the offices, structural glazing forms a glass box design, flooding the office area with light and providing uninterrupted views of the showroom courtyard. Glass beams and fins were used to support the structure without detracting from the frameless glass aesthetic. All supporting glass beams and fins were specified in low iron glass to eliminate the risk of the naturally occurring green tint that is prominent in exposed edges.

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A structural glass roof tops the glass box, again allowing an influx of natural light into the space below and remaining in keeping with the fully glazed design. Steel beams were used on the central part of the glass roof to support the structure, illustrating another option for glass roof designs. The glass roof was constructed at a slight angle, sloping away from the building to allow water to run off the glass in wet weather and prevent water pooling. One pane of glass is constructed with a green coloured interlayer, to showcase just one of the coloured interlayer options. Between the panes within the glass wall, neat silicone joints provide a seamless effect. Natural light is proven to increase productivity and wellness, therefore it was imperative for our office space to be flooded with natural light. Following a highly glazed design allows the maximum amount of natural light to be gained, whilst adding a touch of luxury.

As well as the glass box extension we have dedicated meeting rooms, each constructed using various slim framed systems. Towards the front of the building, using Shuco systems, we have created a modern industrial themed space. Using large elevations of glass and aluminium beams, the meeting space is bright and airy. Within one of the large glass panes, a floating window is installed to showcase our ability to create completely bespoke designs.

A number of meeting rooms on the first floor were designed as part of the renovation, including frameless glass partitions and internal glass doors. The meeting rooms include fixed glazing over the door, allowing light and views to travel through the parts of the glazing that have not been installed with a sandblasted finish.

Within the main office space, a steel framed glass partition system is in place to create a dedicated meeting space. The steel system uses glazing bars for an industrial aesthetic, bringing elegance and dramatic crisp lines into the office. The steel framed glazing contains a number of opening elements including a double casement door arrangement and multiple steel window systems, including top hung and side hung windows.

There are a range of systems installed throughout the showroom to showcase the systems in action. The glass box extension, as well as bringing us light and a beautiful design, is a great tool for showcasing our capabilities in working with architectural glazing. It was important for the IQ headquarters to represent the company and a highly glazed façade was perfectly suited to this.