Projects designed, engineered and installed a series of frameless glass infills to the brick archways of this Grade II listed building at Portsmouth Grammar School. Due to the listed nature of this 18th-century school building, specialist fixing details and frameless glazing were specified.

When specifying glazing for educational buildings, especially listed buildings like this one, frameless structural glass solutions are a popular choice as the minimal design doesn’t detract from the historic features of the building.

The entranceway features a cascading archway with intricate brickwork dating back to the 11th century, the gentle curves of the brickwork fall onto rendered columns where the bespoke glazing solution is installed. The Glazing has been specially measured to the depths of the columns and curves of the historic brickwork, the frameless glass then fits seamlessly in these spaces for a modern glass entrance design.

Bespoke frameless structural glazing was engineered by IQ Projects to help provide a safe walkway for the pupils to use to access the new sixth form building; our frameless interior system was engineered for the frameless glass entrance doors so that once these doors are locked, pupils may exit the building, but it prevents anyone else getting in.

This project was unique as the design of the structural glass meant that a specialist four-point spider fixing detail had to be specially designed and manufactured for this specific project. The clear structural glass used in this project helps to maximise the natural lighting around the grammar school entrance as well as emphasising the architecture of the arched red brick ceiling. The use of frameless glass also maintains the character of the original building design, a requirement for listed building consent.

Structural glass fins were integrated into the bespoke shaped structural glazing to increase the supports needed for the four panes of glazing; innovative glass connectors were used to fix the glazing to the grade II listed building with minimal interference to the natural brickwork. The specialist spider fixings were applied to the four panes to create the most minimal connections creating uninterrupted panes, allowing for natural lighting input.

Automated biparting sliding glass doors with single glazing were installed at the entrance of the school for an access point that, again, doesn’t detract from the character of the Grade II* listed building. The use of these doors, along with a manually operated glass pivot door, here is perfect due to it being a high traffic area. The frameless glass ensures that natural lighting can flood throughout the entrance, and it also prevents the students from going somewhere that could be dangerous or where they aren’t allowed.

To discuss bespoke glazing for your next educational building design, speak to the IQ team today.