Potato Villa

Faceted Structural Glass Link for a Contemporary Rural Home

Potato Villa is a contemporary new dwelling in Huish Champflower, near Taunton, Somerset. Designed by Living Space Architects Ltd, the home incorporates a bespoke structural glass link that connects two building volumes while preserving views towards the surrounding landscape. 

IQ Glass designed, supplied and installed the architectural glazing package using the Invisio structural glazing system. The link comprises angled vertical glass elevations and a shaped structural glass roof, creating a transparent connection that responds to the differing geometry of the adjoining buildings. 

The combination of faceted structural glazing, concealed framing and overhead glass introduces natural light throughout the connecting space while allowing the link to become a distinct architectural feature within the home. 

Products Used

Project Partners

Architect: Living Space Architects LTD

Photography: Matthias Peters 

Location

Somerset, Taunton

Creating a Structural Glass Link Between Two Buildings 

The architectural brief required a weather-protected link between two parts of the property without introducing a visually heavy corridor. A conventional solid connection would have interrupted views through the house and reduced the relationship between the internal spaces and the rural setting. 

Rather than adopting a standard rectangular form, the link follows the orientation of the adjoining buildings. Angled vertical elevations and a shaped glass roof create a faceted, partially hexagonal structure that sits naturally between the two volumes.  

The extensive use of glass maintains views through the connecting space and allows natural light to enter from the elevations and roof. Reflections across the angled glass surfaces also give the link a changing appearance in different weather and lighting conditions. 

The homeowner described the completed result: 

“It adds grace to the house in all weathers and at all times and, importantly for us, it helps the sense of connection between the house and the landscape around it.” 

Faceted Structural Glazing for the Residential Link 

The vertical section of the link was designed as a coordinated arrangement of six silicone-jointed Invisio glass panes across the lower and upper elevations. Stepped glass edges form two faceted junctions, allowing the elevations to follow the angled geometry of the link without relying on visually dominant corner framing. 

The lower structural glass elevation forms an opening approximately 4.55m wide by 2.54m high and comprises three large fixed insulated glass units. The glass planes meet at angles of approximately 157 degrees, creating the distinctive faceted form 

Each vertical glass unit comprises an 8mm clear toughened outer pane, an 18mm argon-filled cavity and an 8mm clear toughened inner pane with a low-E coating. Black warm-edge spacer bars, black silicone and concealed perimeter framing maintain a consistent appearance across the elevation.  

The Invisio profiles are largely concealed within the surrounding construction, allowing the structural glass to remain the principal visible element. Structural silicone joints connect the panes and reinforce the minimal, frameless appearance required by the architectural design. 

Shaped Structural Glass Roof Over the Link 

A shaped Invisio structural glass roof completes the transparent connection between the two building volumes. The roof follows the faceted footprint of the vertical glazing and sits within a structural opening approximately 4.13m long and up to 1.56m wide. 

Three shaped insulated glass units form the completed roof. Slender 40 x 40 x 5mm steel T-sections support the glazing between the panes, while structural silicone joints limit the amount of visible framing across the roof surface. 

The roof incorporates a 42.5-degree fall to provide water run-off while maintaining the angular architectural form of the link. Thermally broken fixings, EPDM membranes and low-modulus silicone seals create a weather-resistant junction between the structural glazing and the adjoining building fabric. 

The roof glass comprises an 8mm clear toughened outer pane, an 18mm argon-filled cavity and a laminated inner composition formed from two 6mm clear toughened panes with a PVB interlayer. A low-E coating supports thermal performance, while the laminated inner pane provides the required safety build-up for overhead glazing.  

Performance and Installation Considerations 

Performance requirements for the structural glass link were driven by the need to create an exposed, transparent connection suitable for year-round use. 

The vertical elevations and roof use insulated glass units with low-E coatings and argon-filled cavities to reduce heat transfer through the glazed structure. The glazing package was designed for a wind load of 0.8kN/m², while the laminated inner roof panes provide the required overhead safety specification. 

The Invisio structural glazing system has a 63mm profile depth and can accommodate glass units up to 41.5mm thick, with an expected Uw value of 1.1 W/m²K. Its 60mm profile height and minimum 55mm fixing setback allow the framing to be concealed within the surrounding structure, supporting the minimal appearance of the glazed link. 

Installation logistics were particularly important because the structural glass roof is positioned more than 4m above ground level. An electric mini crane, specialist vacuum lifting equipment and coordinated delivery arrangements were used to lift and accurately position the upper elevations and roof glazing. 

The roof panes shown on the final construction drawings weigh approximately 73kg to 74kg each, while the large vertical glazed units weigh up to approximately 146kg. Good access around the property provided sufficient space for offloading and operating the specialist lifting equipment.  

A first-fix installation was completed before the final glass dimensions were confirmed. This enabled IQ Glass to coordinate the bespoke glazing accurately with the finished steelwork and structural openings before manufacture.

Technical Details 

  • Faceted structural glass elevations: Six silicone-jointed Invisio panes across the lower and upper elevations, with stepped edges forming two faceted glass junctions.  
  • Lower glazed elevation: Three fixed insulated glass units within an opening approximately 4.55m wide by 2.54m high, with glass planes meeting at approximately 157 degrees.  
  • Vertical glass specification: 8mm clear toughened outer pane, 18mm argon-filled cavity with black warm-edge spacer and black silicone, and 8mm clear toughened low-E inner pane.  
  • Structural glass roof: Three shaped insulated glass units within an opening approximately 4.13m long and up to 1.56m wide, formed with a 42.5-degree fall.  
  • Roof support: 40 x 40 x 5mm steel T-sections positioned between the shaped roof panes. 
  • Roof glass specification: 8mm clear toughened outer pane, 18mm argon-filled cavity and laminated inner pane comprising two 6mm clear toughened layers with a PVB interlayer and low-E coating.  
  • Invisio structural glazing: 63mm profile depth, maximum glass thickness of 41.5mm, expected Uw value of 1.1 W/m²K, 60mm profile height and a minimum fixing setback of 55mm. 
  • Frame finish: RAL 7016 Matt with black gaskets, warm-edge spacer bars and silicone detailing.  
  • Design wind load: 0.8kN/m².  

Structural Glass Links for Contemporary Homes 

Potato Villa demonstrates how a faceted structural glass link can connect separate building volumes without creating a visually heavy transition. The angled elevations and shaped structural glass roof respond directly to the geometry of the home while maintaining views towards the Somerset landscape. 

The combination of silicone-jointed glazing, concealed Invisio framing and coordinated steel supports allows the link to read as one coherent transparent structure. Insulated glass units, thermally broken details and carefully designed perimeter interfaces provide the performance required for a glazed connection exposed to changing weather conditions. 

This approach is particularly relevant to architects and specifiers designing contemporary homes, residential extensions and glazed links where irregular building forms, natural light and landscape connections are central to the architectural brief. 

To discuss a similar structural glass link, contact IQ Glass for technical advice on Invisio structural glazing, faceted glass walls, shaped structural glass roofs and specialist installation strategies for bespoke residential architecture. 

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