December 16, 2020
2020: A Year In Review
Written by Rebecca Clayton
December 16, 2020
Written by Rebecca Clayton
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.
We 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.
Another 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.
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.
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.
Next 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.
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.