Brixton House

Brixton House single storey glazed rear extension

Brixton House is a contemporary single storey glazed extension designed by Studio Carver to transform a poorly configured end-of-terrace property into a bright, flexible family home. The project reimagined a dark and disconnected layout, using architectural glazing to strengthen the relationship between the interior and the surrounding garden.

IQ Glass supplied a bespoke glazing package incorporating slim framed sliding glass doors, frameless windows, structural roof glazing and internal glass doors. Together, these elements maximise natural light while creating seamless movement between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

The result is a contemporary London home where glazing plays a central role in defining the architecture, improving spatial quality and creating a stronger connection to the garden.

Project Partners

Architects: Studio Carver 

Photo credits: Richard Chivers

Location

Brixton, London

Single storey glazed extension for modern family living

The design brief focused on replacing an outdated two-storey addition with a more practical and light-filled extension suited to modern family life. The new layout places the kitchen and living areas at the centre of the home, creating an open-plan space that connects directly to the side and rear gardens.

Large glazed openings were essential to achieving this transformation. Slim sliding glass doors and pocket door configurations allow the façade to open widely, extending the usable living space into the garden and improving natural ventilation throughout the extension.

This approach helps the single storey glazed extension feel significantly larger than its physical footprint while introducing daylight deep into the interior.

Slim sliding doors and frameless garden glazing

Minimal framed sliding glass doors were installed to create uninterrupted views towards the garden and enhance access to the outdoor spaces. Pocket door arrangements further increase flexibility by allowing the openings to be concealed when open.

The sliding door systems feature ultra-slim aluminium sightlines, ensuring that glass remains the dominant visual element. Flush threshold detailing creates a continuous floor finish between inside and outside, improving accessibility and strengthening the connection to the garden.

A large frameless window adjacent to the kitchen provides additional daylight and ventilation while acting as a focal point within the extension.

Oversized structural rooflight

A key feature of the project is the large structural rooflight positioned above the entrance and reception space. Measuring more than 1.5m wide and over 3m long, the roof glazing introduces natural daylight into the centre of the property and creates an immediate architectural statement.

The oversized rooflight transforms what was previously a dim and uninviting entrance area, filling the space with daylight and highlighting the material palette of the redesigned interior.

Combined with internal glass doors and frameless glazing elements, the rooflight helps distribute daylight throughout the entire home.

Performance considerations

Performance requirements for Brixton House focused on maximising daylight while maintaining thermal efficiency and practical family living.

The structural rooflight was engineered to deliver large amounts of natural light without compromising the thermal performance of the building envelope. Slim sliding doors were selected to provide expansive glazing with minimal visible framing, while the flush threshold detail ensures barrier-free access between the living spaces and garden.

Internal glass doors were used to define different zones within the home without restricting daylight penetration. Additional frameless glazing on the upper floors, including a new dormer window and staircase glazing, ensured that natural light remained a key architectural feature throughout the project.

The result is a highly functional single storey glazed extension that delivers openness, flexibility and daylight-rich living spaces within a constrained urban site.

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; pocket door arrangement used to maximise garden access
  • Structural rooflight: oversized roof glazing exceeding 1.5m wide and 3m long; thermally broken roof glazing system designed to maximise daylight to the centre of the home
  • Frameless glazing: large frameless window integrated alongside the kitchen to increase daylight, ventilation and visual connection to the garden
  • Internal glass doors: full-height glazed internal doors used to define living zones whilst preserving natural light flow
  • Upper-floor glazing: new dormer window and staircase glazing designed to increase daylight penetration throughout the reconfigured home

Architectural glazing for London house extensions

Brixton House demonstrates how carefully designed glazing can completely transform a period property, creating brighter interiors, stronger garden connections and more flexible living spaces.

This approach is particularly suited to architects and specifiers designing single storey glazed extensions, urban renovations and contemporary family homes where daylight, openness and seamless indoor-outdoor living are key design objectives.

To discuss a similar project, contact IQ Glass for technical advice on slim sliding doors, structural rooflights, frameless glazing and bespoke architectural glazing for London house extensions.