Set within the conservation area of Welford, Northamptonshire, Talbot and Granary represents a carefully executed a glass extension in Northamptonshire that balances architectural legacy with contemporary innovation. Once a 17th-century coaching inn, the site dates back to 1647 and carries significant historical weight. Its location on the High Street would have made it a key stopping point for freight travelling between London and Liverpool, with horse-drawn carriages passing through the village daily. Remnants of this past endure, from a rare priest hole hidden within the fabric of the building to documented visits by the Spencer family and even Charles Dickens.
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Credit
Photography: The Hortons Studio
Architects: Rhys James Ltd
Contractor: Taylor Graeves Development
Location
Northamptonshire
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This glass extension in Northamptonshire demanded a design approach that respected the site’s original character while introducing a new architectural language. Central to this intervention is a striking glass box extension, redefining the connection between old and new.
The glass extension in Northamptonshire is framed in black to establish contrast while maintaining harmony with the stone and timber of the original structure. The double-height design allows glazing to extend from ground to roof, offering vertical transparency and reinforcing the extension’s spatial drama. From the first floor, the benefit of this design is most fully realised, with uninterrupted views that bring light and sky into the heart of the home.
All glazing systems were designed, supplied and installed by IQ Glass, specialists in architectural glazing for heritage renovation projects. The glazing specification includes Invisio Structural Glazing for both vertical and roof elements with integrated Sieger Casement Doors. Slim framed aluminium sliding doors mirror the minimal design on the lower floors whilst MIRO internal hinged door continues that design inside.
Part of IQ’s service also includes full installation. Here, some of the glass units weighed up to 225 kilograms, which required demanding technical precision and logistical coordination.
With a wind load capacity of 0.65 kN/m² and solar control glass achieving 70% light transmission and a G-value of 0.35, the glazing meets high-performance standards without compromising design intent. The Invisio system’s minimal detailing aligns with the modern architectural language, offering frameless transparency that respects the historical significance of the original building fabric.
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This glass extension in Northamptonshire exemplifies how thoughtful design and material specification can elevate listed and conservation-sensitive properties. The integration of structural glazing enhances spatial quality and usability while maintaining architectural integrity. For architects, it demonstrates how modern interventions can sit confidently within heritage settings when guided by rigour and sensitivity.
Captured by The Hortons Studio, the photography conveys the architectural clarity and lightness achieved throughout the project. Talbot and Granary is now listed on the Hortons website, offering a closer look at this standout example of glass extension in Northamptonshire, fused with contemporary detail.
Speak with IQ Glass Midlands today
For architects working within similar constraints or contexts, the Talbot and Granary project offers a compelling case study. If you are undertaking a glass extension in Northamptonshire or conservation project and are looking to integrate high-performance architectural glazing that complements and elevates the design, we invite you to contact our Midlands team.
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