IQ Glass Solutions LTD, Sky House, Raans Road, Amersham, HP6 6FT
Porthmadog House, designed by Ström Architects, has been shortlisted for the RSAW Welsh Architecture Awards 2026, recognising its exceptional architectural response to one of Wales’ most dramatic coastal settings.
Set on a steep, sloping site overlooking the bay with far‑reaching views toward the Irish Sea and the Snowdonia mountains, the home was designed to embrace the landscape’s dual character — expansive seascapes on one side and rugged rural scenery on the other.IQ Glass contributed to this award‑nominated project by providing the large‑format structural glazing and expansive glazed openings that define the central living spaces. These areas sit between the home’s protective slate‑clad ground‑floor volumes, using generous glazing to flood the interiors with daylight and celebrate the spectacular coastal views.
The project’s upper corten‑steel volume — articulated with a series of fins — works in harmony with the minimal glazing beneath, offering solar protection, privacy, and a refined architectural rhythm along the façade. Together, the material palette and glazing create a home that is both visually striking and robust enough to withstand its exposed coastal climate.
The RSAW shortlist acknowledges the project’s sensitive yet bold design approach, its deep connection to the Welsh landscape, and the careful integration of high‑performance glazing as a core architectural feature.