Nile Grove is a contemporary glazed extension in Edinburgh, designed to transform a Victorian semi detached villa within the Morningside Conservation Area. Lorn Macneal Architects replaced an unsympathetic conservatory with a carefully considered garden room that complements the original sandstone property and creates a stronger connection to the south facing garden. IQ Glass supplied the complete glazing package, including triple glazed slim sliding doors, Invisio® structural glazing and thermally broken aluminium casement doors.
Project Partners
Architect: Lorn Macneal Architects
Photographer: Mairi Watters
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland
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Replacing an Unsympathetic Conservatory with a Contemporary Garden Room
The property sits on a tree lined avenue of Victorian villas dating predominantly from the early 1880s. Any changes to the exterior therefore needed to respect the established character of the conservation area and satisfy the requirements of listed building consent.
The existing conservatory was described by Lorn Macneal Architects as “un-original and un-sympathetic” to the building. Its replacement needed to feel contemporary and distinct, yet carefully connected to the original stonework. The resulting glazed extension in Edinburgh creates an open kitchen and living space with direct garden access, while a previously shaded courtyard has been enclosed to form a light filled studio.
“IQ Glass continue to provide an excellent and comprehensive design and installation service and are our go-to for all high quality glazing requirements. The desire on this project to have a powder coated finish that matched the zinc roofing trims and complimented the stonework was something we knew IQ, with their trusted supply chain, could deliver. The clients are delighted with the glazing and this project constantly accrues compliments across our social media platforms." Lorn Macneal
Maximising Garden Views within a Sensitive Historic Setting
One of the principal challenges was creating a floor to ceiling glazed elevation without introducing heavy framing that would detract from the openness of the new garden room. The glazing needed to maximise views and provide easy access to the extensive south facing garden while remaining suitably restrained within the conservation area setting.
The large glazed elevation also required strong thermal and solar performance. Triple glazing and thermally broken framing were essential for maintaining internal comfort throughout Edinburgh’s colder months, while solar control glass was needed to help manage heat gain during summer.
Transforming a Shaded Courtyard with Structural Glazing
A second challenge was converting an enclosed and underused courtyard into a bright studio. Existing stone walls restricted daylight, so the design required an overhead glazing solution that would illuminate the space without introducing a visually dominant structural frame.
The structural glass needed to integrate precisely with the existing masonry while providing independent load bearing support, thermal performance and effective weather protection. Concealed fixings were important to preserve the frameless appearance and create the light from above effect intended by the architect.
Triple Glazed Sliding Doors and Structural Glass for a Victorian Villa
IQ Glass installed a thermally broken triple glazed sliding door system with slim profiles to the main garden room elevation. The two track arrangement combines one sliding and one fixed pane, with a separate fixed panel completing the floor to ceiling glazed facade. A flush threshold creates a seamless transition onto the garden terrace, while solar control glass helps maintain a comfortable internal environment.
An Invisio® triple glazed structural glass panel was installed above the former courtyard, using concealed framing to preserve its near frameless appearance. Two thermally broken aluminium casement doors provide additional access, with one incorporating a toplight. All visible frames were finished in Pigmento Red Polyester Matt, introducing a warm tone that sits quietly against the traditional sandstone and unifies the different glazing systems. Together, these elements demonstrate how a glazed extension in Edinburgh can improve light, space and garden access while responding sensitively to a historic property.
Technical Glazing Summary
- Slim triple glazed sliding door system, approximately 3285mm wide x 3051mm high.
- Two track configuration comprising one sliding pane and one fixed pane.
- Additional fixed glazed panel approximately 1070mm wide x 3051mm high.
- Flush threshold for a seamless transition between the garden room and terrace.
- Solar control glass specified to the south facing sliding doors.
- Invisio® triple glazed structural glass panel approximately 1315mm wide x 3051mm high.
- Two thermally broken aluminium casement doors with toplights.
- Sliding door system achieving a Uw value of at least 0.70 W/m²K.
- All visible frames finished in Pigmento Red Polyester Matt.
Discuss a Glazed Extension in Edinburgh
Nile Grove demonstrates how slim sliding doors and structural glazing can transform a Victorian villa while respecting its historic character and conservation area setting. For architects, developers and private clients planning a glazed extension in Edinburgh, early specialist input can help resolve planning constraints, thermal performance, solar control and connections to existing masonry.
Speak to IQ Glass about structural glazing, slim sliding glass doors and bespoke glazing packages for listed homes, period property renovations and contemporary extensions.
