Making Place House

Structural Glazing for a Luxury Home in Yorkshire

Making Place House is a contemporary countryside home in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, designed by Gagarin Studio. Developed under Paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework, now Paragraph 84, the project reimagines the historic Halifax House for the 21st century, creating a zero-carbon dwelling rooted in the South Pennine landscape. The IQ Glass Northern division was appointed to design, supply and install an extensive glazing package, including slim sliding doors, aluminium casement windows, Invisio® structural glazing, eaves windows and automated rooflights.

As a project focused on structural glazing for a luxury home in Yorkshire, Making Place House demonstrates how modern architectural glazing can support an exceptional new build home in a demanding rural location. The glazing package was designed to introduce natural light, frame views across the landscape and withstand the performance requirements of an exposed Pennine site.

Project Partners

Architects: Gagarin Studio

Builders: MCN Construction

Photography: Mark Newton

Location

Calderdale, West Yorkshire

Design Context: Reinterpreting the Halifax House

The design of Making Place House draws on the long established tradition of Yeoman Clothier houses within the Calderdale landscape. This historic house type, often referred to as the Halifax House, informed the architectural approach, with the new dwelling shaped by local stone field shelters, enclosure walls and the concept of field rotation and shelter.

The project required a highly considered design response due to its open countryside location and planning route under Paragraph 79. The house needed to demonstrate exceptional design quality while also responding to the South Pennine climate, where exposure, wind loads and long-term weather resistance were key considerations. For the glazing package, this meant combining clean detailing and large glazed openings with the strength and performance needed for a robust, long-life rural home.

Slim Sliding Doors and Casement Windows for Landscape Views

IQ Glass addressed the need for openness and daylight through the installation of multiple slim sliding door systems, with the largest set measuring approximately 5268mm wide by 3012mm high. These large glazed openings allow key living areas to connect with the surrounding landscape while maintaining the clean contemporary detailing required for the architecture.

A large number of slim aluminium casement windows were also fitted throughout the home, many positioned between feature oak mullions. This combination of aluminium glazing and natural timber detailing allowed the window package to sit comfortably within the architectural language of the house. The frames were finished in RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey, creating a consistent appearance across the sliding doors, windows and wider glazing package.

Eaves Windows Integrated with External Walk On Glass

A key structural glazing feature at Making Place House is the series of eaves windows installed around the pool area. IQ Glass used its bespoke Invisio® structural glazing system to create these highly detailed glazed elements, combining tall vertical glass with external walk-on glass above. This created a carefully resolved junction between the internal pool space and the terrace area overhead.

The vertical panes reach up to approximately 3.8 metres high, allowing daylight to enter the pool area while maintaining the minimal appearance required for the wider architectural scheme. Above these vertical panes, the walk-on glass forms part of the external terrace level, allowing the glazing to perform as a rooflight to the pool area below while remaining usable as an external surface above. The walk-on glass was specified with an anti-slip surface to support safe use.

Glazing Performance for an Exposed Pennine Location

The glazing specification for Making Place House was shaped by the site’s exposure. Wind loads were a key design consideration, with elements of the glazing required to accommodate loads of up to 1.8 kN/m² due to the location. This made the structural design and specification of the glazing package essential to the successful delivery of the project.

Across the house, clear toughened double glazing with low E coatings was used to support thermal performance and comfort. A large number of rooflights were also fitted, including both fixed units and automated rooflights using the ARES system. These rooflights help bring daylight deeper into the plan, while automated units provide ventilation where required.

The wider project also delivers significant environmental benefits, including wetland and habitat improvements, ponds, landscaping and flood alleviation measures. Within this context, the glazing package supports the overall ambition for a contemporary rural home that is carefully rooted in its landscape and designed for long-term performance.

Technical Glazing Summary

IQ Glass provided a full glazing package for Making Place House, including:

  • Multiple slim sliding door systems, with the largest set measuring approximately 5268mm wide x 3012mm high.
  • Slim aluminium casement windows fitted throughout the home, many positioned between feature oak mullions.
  • Five Invisio structurally glazed eaves windows around the pool area, with vertical glass panes up to approximately 3.8m high.
  • External walk-on glass above the eaves windows, integrated into the terrace area above the pool with an anti-slip surface.
  • A large number of rooflights, including fixed roof glazing and automated ARES rooflights.
  • Clear toughened double glazing with low E coatings, with privacy dark tinted glass incorporated in selected areas.
  • Frames finished in RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey.
  • Glazing designed to accommodate wind loads of up to 1.8 kN/m² due to the exposed location.

Speak to IQ Glass About Structural Glazing for a Luxury Home in Yorkshire

Making Place House demonstrates how structural glazing for a luxury home in Yorkshire can support an ambitious countryside residence, combining slim sliding doors, aluminium windows, rooflights, eaves windows and walk on glass within one coordinated glazing package. The project shows how carefully specified glazing can help a home respond to landscape, daylight, privacy and climate without compromising architectural intent.

Early engagement with IQ Glass can support the design and specification of bespoke glazing solutions for high-end residential projects, particularly where large openings, structural glass, rooflights or exposed site conditions require detailed technical input. Contact our team to discuss how architectural glazing can be integrated into your next project.