Rook Hill, Dorset

Sliding Doors to a Modern House in Dorset

Rook Hill is a striking contemporary family home in Christchurch, Dorset, designed by LMA Architects as a modern interpretation of the traditional pitched-roof house. Replacing an existing dwelling, the new residence maximises natural light, open-plan living, and uninterrupted views through extensive architectural glazing, floating glazed gables, and large-format sliding glass doors.

The glazing strategy played a central role in achieving the architectural vision. A complete package of slim framed sliding doors were integrated throughout the home, creating seamless connections between interior living spaces and the surrounding landscape. With ultra-slim aluminium frames, expansive glazed elevations, and carefully engineered detailing, the project demonstrates how high-performance glazing can transform a modern coastal home.

Project Partners

  • Architect: LMA Architects 
  • Builder: Martin White 

Location

Rook Hill Road, Christchurch, Dorset

 

Designing a Contemporary Family Home With Generous Daylight and Floating Gables 

The design brief called for a modern family home that felt bright, spacious, and connected to its surroundings. Responding to the coastal setting, LMA Architects combined traditional architectural forms with contemporary materials and detailing.

One of the project's defining features is its series of floating glazed gables. These dramatic glazed structures create the illusion that the pitched roof is hovering above the stone-clad base, giving the home a light and elegant appearance while maximising daylight throughout the interior.

Large expanses of glazing bring natural light deep into the building, enhancing the feeling of openness and creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere. Throughout the home, slim sliding doors were specified to minimise visible framing and allow the architecture, views, and daylight to take centre stage.

Navigating Coastal Conditions, Height Requirements and Complex Glazed Geometries 

The coastal location introduced specific technical and environmental challenges. The property sits within approximately 200m of the shoreline, meaning all external glazing needed to perform reliably in a marine environment. The home also required a series of large openings, including sliding doors exceeding 5m in width and bespoke gable arrangements with shaped structural glass.

The design introduced additional complexities where glazed elements meet irregular rooflines and angled geometries. Creating a seamless transition between double height gables and sliding doors demanded exact alignments between glazing joints, silicone seams and interlocks. The internal spaces also required sliding doors that could operate smoothly without disrupting circulation, particularly where openings connected directly to terraces and garden areas. 

 

 

How sliding doors Were Used to Deliver Slim Sliding Doors for a Modern House in Dorset 

sliding doors provided the engineering capability and slim framed refinement needed to fulfil both the architectural intent and the coastal performance requirements. Multiple sliding configurations were installed across the home, all finished in RAL 7016 marine grade PPC to ensure long term durability. 

The larger openings, including doorsets up to 5.8m wide, make use of three track sliding systems with slim interlocks that maintain a sense of visual lightness. The dedicated sliding pocket door, installed on a freeway base track, allows the panel to recess fully into the wall, preserving uninterrupted flow between the living spaces. 

The gable compositions required combined fixed and sliding elements. Slim sliding doors was used to form the lower sections, topped by shaped structural glass panels that continue the geometry of the pitched roof. The glazing joints were carefully aligned with the interlocks below to create a unified architectural expression. Solar control coatings were applied to all external units to moderate internal temperature and manage solar gain, an essential consideration for the south facing elevations.  

Technical Details 

  • Multiple minimal windows sliding doorsets were installed throughout the project:  
  • Three track, three panel sliding door measuring 5.8m wide x 2.3m high 
  • Two track, two panel sliding door measuring 3.1m wide x 2.3m high 
  • Three track, three panel sliding door measuring 5m wide x 2.3m high 
  • Single track pocket door measuring 2.4m wide x 2.3m high with freeway base track and fully recessed pocket 
  • Gable arrangement 1: Two track, two panel sliding door measuring 2.6m wide x 2.1m high with frameless shaped overlight 
  • Gable arrangement 2: Two track, two panel sliding door measuring 3.9m wide x 2.2m high with irregular shaped frameless overlight measuring 3.9m wide x 2.9m high 
  • Finish: RAL 7016 PPC in marine grade specification 
  • Glass: Double glazed with 70/37 solar control coating 
  • Locking: Type 2 thrust lever handle 

A Modern Dorset Home Defined by Light, Precision and Slim Sliding Doors 

The completed Rook Hill home demonstrates how high performance glazing can elevate contemporary residential architecture. The use of sliding doors to a modern house in Dorset provides the visual clarity, connectivity and daylighting that define the character of the home. The interplay between stone, glass and the floating gables creates a balanced architectural language that feels both grounded and refined. 

For architects, developers and UHNW clients seeking slim framed, high specification glazing for coastal or modern family homes, Rook Hill illustrates the capabilities of minimal windows® systems across both standard and bespoke configurations. 

Our technical team is available to support with specification advice, detailing integration and performance guidance for similar projects.