Hanbury Hall Wins RIBA West Midlands Award 2025

IQ Glass is delighted to announce that Hanbury Hall, a transformative heritage project featuring bespoke timber and glass sliding doors, has been awarded the 2025 RIBA West Midlands Award. Designed by Howells, this sensitive and innovative insertion into the grounds of the Grade I-listed Hanbury Hall, owned by the National Trust, demonstrates how contemporary architecture can enrich historic contexts without compromising their integrity.

Crafted with slender aluminium frames, thermally broken and clad in sustainably sourced FSC timber, these timber and glass sliding doors offer high performance in both thermal efficiency and durability. Their full-height glazing ensures uninterrupted views from the interior out to the gardens, while their natural timber finish sits in harmony with the brick and timber detailing of the historic buildings around the courtyard. The result is a pavilion that feels modern and deeply rooted in its setting.

The RIBA jury commended the architectural approach for its sensitivity and spatial layering. They were particularly struck by the glimpsed views into the new café, seen through existing doorways, around corners, and over brick walls, with the new roofline subtly visible from the adjacent parterre. This visual delicacy is enhanced by the transparency and lightness of the timber and glass sliding doors, which allow the building to recede into the garden landscape.

The National Trust team has been vocal in their praise of the project, noting how it has revolutionised their ability to serve the public. Where once they had to turn visitors away, the Courtyard Kitchen now supports a variety of events and functions. The natural daylight, clean detailing, and operability of the timber and glass sliding doors help to foster a relaxed and welcoming environment that supports year-round use.

At IQ Glass, we are proud to have played a part in this RIBA award-winning project. The Hanbury Hall Courtyard Kitchen is a prime example of how bespoke timber and glass sliding doors can support sensitive architecture in heritage contexts, allowing historic estates to meet modern demands with clarity and care.

To learn more about integrating timber and glass sliding doors into heritage or conservation-led projects, contact the team at IQ Glass for expert technical advice and design collaboration.