Dividing living and working areas within a canalside apartment
The Watermill forms part of a residential development beside the Grand Union Canal, with apartments accommodated within a Grade II listed building.
Within the apartment, the first glazed division sits beyond the kitchen, dining and living space, opening towards the corridor where the home office is located. The arrangement needed to support separate activities while retaining the visual connection through the home.
The glazing also needed to complement the industrial interior. Steel framing and slender glazing bars establish a defined architectural pattern, while transparent panels preserve views between the rooms.
Two sliding installations allow the homeowners to change how these areas relate to one another throughout the day.
Bi-parting sliding doors preserve space around the openings
The internal steel sliding doors use a bi-parting configuration, with the opening elements moving apart to connect the adjoining spaces.
Sliding operation avoids a hinged door leaf swinging into the walkway. This makes effective use of the circulation area serving the home office and allows the glazed divisions to open without occupying the same floor area as a swinging door.
With the doors open, the continuous flooring reinforces the connection between the living accommodation, corridor and office.
Slim steel glazing bars carry the industrial design through the apartment
The glazing bars give both installations an industrial, Art Deco appearance that remains consistent as the doors move between open and closed positions.
Their slim proportions maintain visibility through the glazed panels, allowing the homeowners to see adjoining areas even when the office is separated from the living accommodation.
The two sets repeat the same design approach across the interior, coordinating the room divisions with the wider architectural character of the apartment.
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