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Glazing for Churches and ecclesiastical buildings

When considering glazing for churches and ecclesiastical spaces, there is a wide array of options available to create a visually captivating and spiritually uplifting environment. The choice of glazing can greatly influence the overall atmosphere within these sacred spaces. Clear glazing allows natural light to penetrate, filling the interior with a sense of warmth and illumination. The selection of different types of glass, solutions and designs can evoke specific themes or moods, further enhancing the experience for worshippers. By exploring the various glazing options, churches can find solutions that align with their architectural vision and create a serene and inspiring ambiance for congregants.

Glass Atria for churches and cathedrals-

Glass atria have become increasingly popular architectural features in glazing for churches and cathedrals, seamlessly blending traditional design with contemporary aesthetics. The use of glass in atria brings several advantages to church and cathedral architecture. Firstly, it allows an abundance of natural light to flood the interiors, creating a luminous and ethereal ambiance. Sunlight

gracefully filters through the transparent panes, illuminating the intricate details of the surrounding stonework, sculptures, and stained-glass windows, highlighting their beauty and enhancing the spiritual experience for worshippers. When considering the implementation of a glass atria, IQ projects are the premium choice for ensuring that the glazing solution is of the highest quality and performance. An example of a previous glass atria solution IQ projects was responsible for was at Exeter Cathedral. we collaborated with architects on a multi-phased development project for Exeter Cathedral, focusing on creating a new glass atrium and entranceway to the Chapter House. The design features a highly glazed timber frame structure.

The frameless glass atrium consists of single glazing sections, including frameless pivot glass doors and fixed glazing. These double-opening doors are equipped with bespoke pull handles that enhance the cathedral’s traditional architectural style. To maintain cohesiveness with the overall design and heritage fabric of the building, the fixtures and handles have a brushed brass finish. The transparent nature of the shaped structural glass preserves the heritage style while preventing drafts from entering the main building. For this project, frameless single-glazed solutions were chosen due to their flexibility and ability to be customized. The curved glass was specifically used to form the roof of the glass atrium, with hidden fixings to the timber framing. The bespoke frameless glazing is subtly incorporated, complementing the solid wood structure, and enhancing the traditional aesthetic inside the Grade I listed building.

Archway infills

Another glazing solution commonly adopted for ecclesiastical spaces, are archway infills. Archway infills in churches often incorporate glazing solutions to introduce natural light into the interior spaces while maintaining the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. An example of a project that IQ worked on that involved the use of archway infills was St Marys Church. Structural glazing was employed to fill the tall archways due to its flexible nature, accommodating the slight variations in stonework across each arch. This approach provided endless possibilities in terms of shape

and size, making for a visually appealing installation. Seamless access between areas was achieved with the use of single and double casement doors integrated into the structural glass. The frameless door designs were discreet, blending seamlessly with the fixed structural glazing.

To support the structure of the double-height glass installation, glass fins made from low iron glass were utilized, ensuring a cohesive design and emphasizing the focus on the original building. On the upper floors of St Marys Church, heat-soaked glass was specifically chosen. This type of glass undergoes a heat soak testing process that reduces the risk of spontaneous breakage caused by nickel sulphide inclusion. This feature is particularly crucial for glass installed in high or inaccessible locations, where maintenance would be challenging. As a result of these additions, the church can now accommodate different activities simultaneously in various areas throughout the day. The historical appearance of the building remains intact, with the glazed elements highlighting the original charm of this listed structure.

Glass links

Glass links serve as an elegant and symbolic connection between different parts of the church. By incorporating glass links, churches can enhance their spatial design, allowing for the expansion of facilities while preserving the sacredness of the original structure. These transparent passages also offer a captivating visual experience, as they bathe the interior in natural light and provide panoramic views of the surrounding religious and natural landscapes. Warwick hall has recently undergone a significant renovation that involved expanding the community space connected to the Grade II Listed Church. The main installation for this project that IQ projects specified for Warwick Hall were the addition of a glass link that connected the old spaces of this listed building

harmoniously with the more modern spaces. As a result of the glazing solutions installed by IQ Projects . These included structural glass roofs, frameless clerestory windows, and slim framed sliding glass doors. The design of these glass features aimed to maintain a minimalistic aesthetic while preserving the architectural integrity of the listed building. All Saints Church, located in the heart of Sutton, underwent a renovation project aiming to make the most of the available land while maintaining the architectural integrity of the Grade II listed church. The goal was to construct a well-lit extension that harmonized with the original structure. To achieve this, a curved glass structure was installed by IQ that connected the new building with the existing one. The curved glass installation seamlessly bridged the two structures, allowing for a smooth transition while flooding the space with natural light. Moreover, this design choice maximized the usable area within the extension. IQ Projects specializes in using structural glass to create custom-made curved glass installations. The inherent adaptability of structural glazing enabled them to design and fabricate these unique installations. Great care was taken to ensure that the exterior of the new building matched the original brick structure of the heritage Church, maintaining its visual continuity.

If you have an ecclesiastical project that requires glazing solutions, contacting us at IQ projects is the smart choice. Our range of bespoke market leading glazing solutions will only enhance an already special place.

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Shannon Normoyle

As one of the Senior Marketing Executives, Shannon oversees the website and SEO management for IQ and can often be found working on SEO strategies or writing content for the websites.