December 16, 2020

2020: A Year In Review

Written by Rebecca Clayton

IQ Showroom at Christmas (22)

The staff’s top projects, our company highlights and more


2020 has been an unpredictable year for everyone, with government guidelines and restrictions changing over the course of the year. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, IQ have continued to work at full capacity throughout and have completed numerous projects to an exceptional standard as well as hitting some milestones along the way.

Our top 2 projects


Structural glass facade with sliding glass doors and shaped gable end glazingWe asked the staff to choose their favourite projects from the last year and the resounding winner was Field House. IQ worked closely with Spratley & Partners on this replacement dwelling, featuring a stunning gable end glazing configuration. The expansive new build benefitted from the full glazing package, utilizing fixed frameless glazing, corner to corner configurations, slim framed sliding doors and a number of our casement window systems.


The team at IQ loved the finished result, in particular, the gable end glazing. A true representation of indoor-outdoor living, the use of oversized glazing bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor environments, forging a strong connection to the surrounding nature.


Luxury glazed residential coastal new buildAnother favourite project from the staff was Stone Haven, a luxury new build project in Cornwall. Headed up by our South West regional division, the project used frameless effect glazing as well as sliding door systems to contrast the building materials. Opting for a biophilic design, the natural stone and aged timber on the exterior meant the architects could strengthen the bond with nature through the build.


Based on the Cornish coast, it was imperative for this new build to make the most of the stunning views of the surrounding area. One of the side elevations, two sets of slim sliding doors were installed one above the other to enjoy views and natural light gain across both floors. Although this build consists of two dwellings, they are seamlessly connected by a minimal glass link.

Partnering with panoramah! systems


One highlight for the IQ Group was entering into our partnership with panoramah! and having their incredible sliding glass door systems installed at the showroom. The luxury systems are designed to be adaptable, with the ability to create unique shapes, sizes and installations. Due to the flexible nature of the systems, IQ is able to take on specialised projects without hesitation.


 

Slim sliding glass doors to luxury home

New product launches


This year IQ launched a number of new products, designed and manufactured right here at our aluminium fabrication factory in Amersham. The first new launch was Invisio, a thermally broken, automated sliding rooflightstructural glazing system developed to offer ultra-minimal, frameless effect walls and window systems. Invisio can be used to create completely bespoke installations, as well as frameless glass walls, oriel windows, glass floors and strip rooflights. The innovative system is designed to accommodate more specialised, unique projects and you can download the standard CAD details here.

Shortly after we launched Miro, our internal glazing system that can accommodate a wide range of configuration options. Offering internal glazing as part of the full glazing package creates a coherent design, as well as encouraging natural light to flow through properties.

slim steel glazed casement door to rear glass extensionNext in the line of new product launches was MHB, a steel framed glazing system characterized by its sharp-edged profiles and thermally broken frames. MHB is designed to accommodate bespoke requirements, for both fixed or opening elements and is often used to achieve a traditional look with modern performance values.

Roof glazing continued to be a big focus throughout 2020, with innovative products such as the MARS and the ARES becoming part of the IQ product family. Offering specialised solutions like these presents the opportunity to push architectural boundaries, using moving elements for totally unique results. The MARS is a modern automated rooflight system that can be used for rooftop access, whilst the ARES boasts the ability to automatically ventilate living spaces.

The renovation at Sky House


Another milestone for the company was starting the huge renovation project at Sky House in Amersham. The design centre is currently under refurbishment and will result in a fully glazed façade, bringing tones of natural light into the office and showroom. Along with the natural light gain, there will be a number of our systems available to view at the showroom on a larger scale than ever before. The renovation will be complete in early 2021 when there will be additional meeting rooms and spaces for client meetings to be held.

Forging ahead through the pandemic


The UK's largest architectural glazing showroom

In August 2020, the IQ offices were declared a Covid secure workplace. Throughout the entire pandemic, including the numerous lockdowns, our installations and projects went ahead as planned. The staff and installation team worked tirelessly, whether at home or in the office, to ensure we continued delivering exceptional levels of service.

We trialled an office working rotation, returned to full-time office-based working and enforced Covid secure guidelines for all showroom visits and appointments. The building now has a one-way system and numerous sanitizing stations, amongst other Covid secure guidelines that we adhere to. You can find the full list of our guidelines and procedures on our website.

Final thoughts


All in all, IQ has stayed on top and lead the way within the architectural glazing industry throughout 2020. As a company, we pride ourselves on welcoming any challenge that we encounter, including the year that was 2020. IQ Glass look forward to 2021 and all the challenges and opportunities it will undoubtedly bring.

two pane minimal window to London town house