The Kingdom at The Grove is a purpose built golf performance and custom fitting facility located within the grounds of The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire. Developed in partnership with TaylorMade Golf, the building forms part of a premium golf offering combining advanced technology, hospitality and training spaces. IQ was appointed to design, supply and install the specialist glazing throughout the building, delivering a refined and performance led solution for the glazing at The Grove Golf Studio.
Credit
Clients: TaylorMade and The Grove Hotel
Architects:
IF_DO up to RIBA Stage 4a
West Waddy Archadia from RIBA Stage 3
Main Contractor: Kingerlee
Location
The Grove, Chandler's Cross, Watford
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Design Context and Performance Challenges
The design of the facility required a careful balance between technical performance and guest experience. As a golf studio focused on precision measurement and training, the building needed to provide controlled internal environments while maintaining a strong visual connection to the external driving range and landscaped setting.
Large glazed openings were critical to the architectural concept, allowing users to view ball flight and interact with the outdoors during fittings and training sessions. However, these openings needed to manage solar gain, maintain thermal efficiency and withstand exposure to wind loads across the open golf course.
Additionally, the building accommodates a variety of internal uses, including a lounge, putting studio, workshop and circulation areas. Each space required tailored glazing solutions to address acoustic separation, environmental performance and functional access, without disrupting the cohesive architectural language of the facility.
Large Format Sliding Doors for Visual Connection
A key feature of the glazing package is the installation of minimal framed sliding glass doors to the lounge and putting studio, forming direct connections between internal spaces and the golf course. These large openings allow uninterrupted views across the driving range while enabling natural light to penetrate deep into the building.
The lounge sliding doors span approximately 4.6 metres wide and 4 metres tall, using oversized glass panels that emphasise transparency and scale. Similarly, the putting studio incorporates slim sliding doors to maintain visual continuity with the external environment during practice and analysis sessions.
These installations were engineered using high performance double glazing with solar control coatings, achieving a balance between daylight transmission and heat gain management. The result is a visually open façade that supports the operational needs of a golf fitting environment while maintaining internal comfort.
Integrated Structural Glazing and Specialist Door Systems
Beyond the primary sliding elements, IQ delivered a range of structural glazing and specialist door systems to support the building’s varied functions. Frameless structural glass windows were installed using concealed fixing systems to maintain a minimal appearance, particularly in areas such as the workshop and circulation spaces.
A continuous high level strip window along the corridor introduces consistent daylight across internal routes, reducing reliance on artificial lighting while reinforcing the linear architectural form. Internally, glazed screens between the workshop and circulation areas allow visibility into the club building process, creating an additional layer of engagement for visitors.
A range of aluminium door systems were also integrated throughout the building, including main entrance doors, access doors and internally connected spaces. These were specified with insulated panels, louvres and glazed elements depending on use, ensuring each opening met its specific performance and operational requirements.
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Experience, Precision and Environmental Performance of Glazing
The glazing strategy at The Kingdom supports both the technical and experiential aspects of the facility. By maintaining strong visual connections to the external golf environment, the building reinforces the relationship between analysis, performance and real world play.
Thermal performance and solar control were carefully managed to ensure that the internal environment remains comfortable for prolonged use, particularly within fitting bays where precise data measurement is essential. Acoustic considerations were also addressed in areas such as the workshop, where glazing allows visual connection without compromising functionality.
The glazing package formed part of a tightly coordinated delivery programme, with the full scope delivered over an approximate 18 week period including design, approvals and fabrication.
This project demonstrates how the glazing at The Grove Golf Studio contributes not only to architectural expression but also to the technical performance of a specialist sports facility.
Technical Details
- Minimal framed sliding glass doors to lounge measuring approximately 4.6m wide x 4.0m tall, using oversized glazed panels weighing up to approximately 419kg per panel
- Minimal sliding doors to putting studio measuring approximately 4.4m wide x 2.9m tall
- Sliding doors configured as two panel, two track systems with integrated drainage and multi‑point locking
- Frameless structural glazing installed using the Invisio concealed fixing system to create minimal, frame‑free glazing elements
- High level frameless strip glazing formed from multiple structural glass panes measuring approximately 14.3m wide x 0.6m tall
- Fixed frameless windows to workshop and locker room areas, designed to maintain visual continuity across internal spaces
- Full suite of Schüco aluminium door systems integrated throughout the building, including:
- Main entrance double door with side lights measuring approximately 4.5m wide x 2.8m tall
- Internal and external casement doors connecting training, workshop and circulation areas
- Solid insulated panel doors to technical spaces using 28mm sandwich construction
- Louvre‑integrated doors providing natural ventilation, solar shading and privacy
- Internal glazed screen to workshop allowing visual connection while maintaining acoustic separation
- All systems coordinated in PPC RAL 7013 finish for consistency across the building envelope
Performance Snapshot
- Extensive use of triple glazing across the project to enhance thermal performance and meet modern building standards
- Triple glazed units achieving centre pane Ug values as low as 0.6 W/m²K, with typical whole system Uw values between 0.6–0.9 W/m²K
- Sliding glass doors specified with high‑performance double glazing and solar control coatings, achieving:
- Approximately 70% light transmission
- g-value of 0.35 for controlled solar gain
- Overall Uw values around 1.31–1.32 W/m²K
- All glazing units heat soak tested for long‑term durability and safety
- Structural glazing and door systems engineered to withstand wind loads of approximately 0.8 kN/m² across exposed elevations
- Acoustic performance enhanced in key areas through insulated glass configurations, particularly within the workshop and internal viewing areas
Work with IQ for the Glazing to Your Luxury Hotel or Golf Facility
For architects, developers and operators designing high‑performance sports or hospitality environments, the glazing IQ provided to The Grove for this Golf Studio demonstrates how specialist glass solutions can balance technical requirements with architectural clarity. IQ Projects works with design teams to develop tailored glazing strategies for complex leisure, hotel and commercial schemes.
Combining design aesthetics with performance criteria and strict project deadlines, IQ has demonstratable experience on these complex projects.
Contact our team to discuss your project requirements.
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