Alma Road

Rear glazed extension to a Victorian home in St Albans

Alma Road is a contemporary rear glazed extension designed by Sheldon Peever Studio for a locally listed Victorian home in the St Albans Conservation Area. The project transformed a dark basement level into a bright and welcoming living space that connects directly with the garden.

IQ Glass supplied the architectural glazing package, incorporating structural rooflights, slim framed sliding doors with an open corner configuration and aluminium casement doors. The glazing strategy was carefully developed to maximise daylight while addressing privacy constraints, solar gain and the site's conservation requirements.

The result is a contemporary glass extension that balances sensitive restoration with modern family living, creating light-filled spaces that feel open, flexible and connected to the landscape.

Products Used

Project Partners

Architects: Sheldon Peever Studio

Snook Photography

Location

St. Albans, Hertfordshire

Rear glazed extension designed around daylight and privacy

The key challenge for this project was bringing significant natural light into a basement extension without increasing overlooking from the adjacent street-facing elevation. Additional consideration was also required to manage solar gain due to the property's south-facing orientation.

To resolve these constraints, the architects introduced a narrow structural rooflight running alongside the street elevation. Positioned high above eye level, the glazed roof strip brings daylight into the extension while maintaining privacy for the occupants.

The ceiling height was also increased to accommodate a larger angled structural rooflight. The installation angle allows daylight to enter deeply into the interior while reducing direct solar exposure, helping to create a more comfortable living environment throughout the year.

Open corner sliding doors to the garden

The principal entertaining space within the rear glazed extension includes a dining area that opens directly onto the garden through slim framed sliding glass doors.

The sliding doors are arranged in an open corner configuration, removing the visual barrier between the interior and the patio when fully opened. A flush threshold detail further strengthens this connection, while continuous limestone flooring internally and externally helps blur the distinction between house and garden.

Together, these details allow the extension to function as a flexible indoor-outdoor living space suited to modern family life.

Structural rooflights and additional garden access

A second oversized structural rooflight sits above the kitchen area, bringing natural light into the centre of the extension. The rooflight is positioned to benefit from partial shading created by the upper storey, helping manage solar gain while maintaining strong daylight levels.

Alongside the sliding door system, a large aluminium casement door provides additional garden access from the kitchen. These glazed elements work together to improve movement, ventilation and daylight throughout the extension.

The combination of roof glazing and opening elements ensures that every area of the new living space benefits from a direct visual connection to the outdoors.

Performance considerations

Performance requirements for Alma Road centred on balancing daylight, privacy and solar control within a highly glazed extension. The project needed to bring natural light into a previously dark basement level while responding to the constraints of a conservation area setting.

The structural rooflight design provided the primary solution, introducing daylight from above while limiting overlooking from neighbouring streets. By raising the ceiling and angling the larger rooflight, the architects were able to maximise daylight penetration without exposing the interior to excessive solar gain.

The open corner sliding door arrangement further improves the usability of the extension, creating wide openings to the garden while maintaining minimal sightlines. Flush thresholds and continuous flooring reinforce the seamless transition between living areas and outdoor spaces.

As a locally listed building, the material selection and architectural approach were also carefully considered. External detailing reflects the character of the original Victorian property, enabling the contemporary extension to sit comfortably within its historic setting.

Technical details

  • Slim framed sliding doors: 21mm sightline; max tested sliding pane 8.5m² up to 4.0m high and 500kg; glass thickness 26–32mm; typical Uw >1.1 W/m²K; Air Class 4 / Driving Rain Class 7A / Wind Class C4/B5; sound insulation up to 39dB; PAS 24 security; configured as an open corner sliding door arrangement
  • Structural rooflights: thermally broken roof glazing system; narrow rooflight positioned along the street-facing elevation to provide daylight while maintaining privacy; additional oversized rooflight installed above the kitchen
  • Aluminium casement door: provides secondary garden access from the kitchen while coordinating with the wider glazing package
  • Flush threshold detail: barrier-free transition between internal and external spaces; combined with continuous limestone flooring across the extension and patio
  • Conservation-sensitive glazing design: glazing integrated into a locally listed Victorian property within the St Albans Conservation Area while maintaining the character of the original architecture

Glazing solutions for conservation area extensions

Alma Road demonstrates how a rear glazed extension can maximise natural light and garden connections while responding sensitively to privacy requirements, conservation constraints and solar gain considerations.

This approach is particularly suited to architects and specifiers working on listed buildings, Victorian renovations and conservation area homes where structural glazing, rooflights and minimal sliding doors need to be carefully integrated with existing architecture.

To discuss a similar rear glazed extension, contact IQ Glass for technical advice on structural rooflights, open corner sliding doors, solar control strategies and glazing design for heritage and conservation projects.

Associated Products

a large glass roof over a side infill extension with white walls

Structural Glass Roofs

Frameless structural glass roofs for contemporary homes. UK design, manufacture and installation.
luxury new build home with minimal glass facade

Slim Framed Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding doors with ultra-slim sightlines, offering only the highest levels of performance and durability.

Aluminium Casement Doors

Aluminium casement doors are sturdy and low-maintenance, offering excellent energy efficiency and security. They come in a variety of designs and colors, and can enhance the appearance and value of any home or building.

Steel Look Doors

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