Chapel Point House is a Grade II listed Arts and Crafts coastal home located on the cliffs of Portmellon near Mevagissey. Originally designed in 1936 by architect John A. Campbell, the house sits on a promontory with panoramic views across Mevagissey Bay and the English Channel. As part of a sensitive heritage renovation led by CAD Architects, IQ Glass was appointed to design and install a collection of specialist glazing systems, including thermally broken steel doors in Cornwall, structural glass and a bespoke glazed extension. The glazing strategy was developed to respect the architectural character of the original building while modernising the property for contemporary family living.
Products Used
Project Partners
Architects: CAD Architects
Builders: Cathedral Builders
Photography by Chris Mather
Location
Mevagissey, Cornwall
Heritage Context and Coastal Design Requirements
Chapel Point House occupies a rare setting within the Cornwall National Landscape (AONB) and is a building of national heritage importance. The renovation required careful integration of new architectural elements into a historically significant structure, ensuring that any additions respected the Arts and Crafts detailing and preserved long‑standing views across the coastline. Many of the existing extensions were poorly built and unsympathetic to the original architecture, requiring replacement with a higher‑quality, more coherent design.
The coastal environment introduced additional technical challenges. All glazing and framing systems needed to withstand marine exposure, salt spray and prevailing winds while also improving thermal performance within the ground‑floor living areas. The objective was to create a light‑filled extension that unified the interior with the terraces and gardens without compromising the heritage character of this unique Cornish property.
Steel‑Framed Glazing for a Coastal Heritage Extension
IQ Glass designed and installed a series of steel‑framed doors to form the primary façade of the new ground‑floor glazed extension. Four slim steel doors were installed between existing stone pillars, each finished in a marine‑grade polyester powder coating in white to match the external palette of the house. Horizontal adhered glazing bars were incorporated to reflect the architect’s design intent and reference the period detailing of the original building.
The use of steel doors in Cornwall was critical to the architectural vision. Their ultra‑slim profiles maintain elegant sightlines across the terrace and preserve long views out to sea, while the thermally broken frames provide improved energy performance within the renovated living areas. A matching pair of steel double doors was installed within the sea facing elevation of a new courtyard extension, flanked by frameless structural glass picture windows that reinforce the lightweight character of the extension while allowing uninterrupted outlooks across the dramatic coastal landscape.
Structural Glass Roof and Fabrication for Marine Exposure
Above the steel doors, IQ Glass installed a structural glass roof spanning four panes, supported by steel box and tee sections engineered for coastal durability. Each glass panel weighed approximately 242kg and was specified with a solar control and low‑e coating to manage heat gain while maximising natural light. The glass roof was designed to meet the existing walls with a clean junction, creating an elevated glazed canopy that brings daylight deep into the interior spaces.
All steel elements and fixings were supplied in marine‑grade finishes to ensure long‑term performance in exposed coastal conditions. Together, the structural glass roof, frameless windows and steel doors form a cohesive architectural assembly that visually lightens the extension while complementing the restored stonework and heritage details of the original house.
Coastal Performance of Steel Doors and Long‑Term Value Enhancements
The renovation of Chapel Point House celebrated the legacy of the original 1936 building while significantly enhancing its functionality for modern living. The new glazed extension improves visual connection to the surrounding landscape, reinforces the architecture’s coastal identity and increases the long‑term value of a property widely recognised as one of Cornwall’s rarest coastal homes. The project honours the building’s heritage while introducing contemporary glazing solutions that will perform robustly in a challenging marine environment.
Technical Details
The following provides a concise overview of the key glazing installations provided by IQ Glass on this project:
- Four Mondrian CWS‑65 slim steel doors installed between stone pillars
- Thermally broken steel framing with adhered horizontal glazing bars
- Marine‑grade PPC finish in white to match the surrounding exterior
- Structural glass roof above the extension, comprising four panes
- Steel box and tee sections supporting the roof, all with marine‑grade coatings
- Approximate glass panel weight of 242kg per roof pane
- One Mondrian CWS‑65 slim steel double door serving the ground‑floor extension
- Two frameless structural glass picture windows positioned either side of the steel double door
- All glazing specified as double‑glazed with solar control and low‑e coatings
Speak to IQ Glass About Steel Doors in Cornwall
For architects, developers and clients seeking steel doors in Cornwall for luxury coastal homes or heritage renovations, Chapel Point House demonstrates how specialist glazing can complement historic architecture while improving performance and light levels. IQ Glass provides design support, specification guidance and installation expertise for complex residential projects across Cornwall and the South West. Contact our technical team to discuss your glazing requirements.
