Surrey Farm

Glass Extension in Surrey

Surrey Farm, a Grade II listed contemporary farmhouse in Surrey, showcases how heritage conservation and modern architectural usability can seamlessly coexist. The project demonstrates a sensitive yet ambitious approach to rejuvenating a historic property while enhancing its connection to the surrounding countryside.

IQ Glass was commissioned to design, supply and install an extensive bespoke glazing package that fulfilled the client’s brief: to maximise natural light and frame expansive views across the rural landscape. High‑performance frameless structural glazing and slim sliding glass doors were carefully selected as the ideal solution, delivering clean architectural lines while maintaining the integrity of the listed building.

Project Partners

Developer: Nicholls Countryside Construction

Architect : Fowler Architecture and Planning

Photography: John Nicholls Photography

Location

Surrey

Sensitive Design Approach to Heritage Architecture

This Grade II listed glass extension represents a refined and considered strategy for adapting an historic farmstead to suit contemporary living. The new intervention was deliberately designed to sit visually secondary to the existing farmhouse. Its massing, roofline and materiality were all chosen to complement not compete with the character and proportions of the original structure.

The result is a modern addition that respects the architectural language of the farmhouse while offering the openness, light and spatial clarity required for today’s lifestyle.

Expansive Glazing to Enhance Light & Connection

A defining element of the project is the extensive use of glazing, which transforms the new extension into a bright, open and visually connected space. The large sliding glass doors, finished in RAL 7021 matt, glide effortlessly from left to right (viewed externally), creating a generous opening and reinforcing indoor–outdoor living.

The doors incorporate a 2‑point shoot bolt lock for security and smooth operation. A key technical challenge was achieving a flawless connection between the sliding door system and the adjacent Invisio structural glazing. As two different systems meeting on a single elevation, the detailing required precise engineering and coordination to ensure weather performance, alignment and aesthetic continuity.

Respecting the Heritage and Core Challenges

Integrating a contemporary glazing package into a Grade II listed property required a series of intricate technical solutions to ensure both structural performance and heritage sensitivity. One of the primary challenges was achieving a seamless junction between the sliding glass door system and the Invisio structural glazing. As these are two fundamentally different glazing systems with contrasting engineering requirements, the interface had to be carefully designed to maintain airtightness, weather resistance and precise alignment across the elevation.
 
Thermal performance was another priority, as integrating highly insulated modern glazing with a historic building envelope can create variations in thermal movement. Special attention was given to expansion gaps, drainage paths and thermal breaks to ensure long‑term performance without compromising aesthetics.

These combined challenges required close collaboration between the design team, heritage consultants and IQ Glass’s technical engineers to deliver a contemporary extension that meets modern performance requirements while respecting the building’s protected status.

The completed project offers a harmonious blend of past and present modern performance glazing embedded within a heritage setting. By enhancing natural light, improving views and creating a fluid indoor–outdoor connection, the extension elevates the farmhouse for modern living while safeguarding the charm and character that define its historic significance.

Roof Glazing to Flood the Interior With Natural Light

Complementing the sliding doors and fixed structural glass is a bespoke rooflight in RAL 7021 matt overlooking the new extension, allowing natural light to be a primary feature.

The sliding glass doors in RAL 7021 matt, slides open from left to right (from the outside view) featuring a 2 point 1 Shoot Bolt Lock, creating a large opening in the rear elevation. The connection between the sliding glass door and Invisio structural glazing had to be expertly detailed as this was two different systems connecting together.

The completed project offers a harmonious blend of past and present modern performance glazing embedded within a heritage setting. By enhancing natural light, improving views and creating a fluid indoor–outdoor connection, the extension elevates the farmhouse for modern living while safeguarding the charm and character that define its historic significance.

Technical Details 

  • Slim sliding glass doors RAL 7021 MATT
  • PPC Lever Locking Handle
  • U-Values - 1.0-1.4
  • Lock Type- 2 Point 1 Shootbolt Lock
  • Glass Spesification- clear toughened 
  • Wind Load- 0.65kn/M2
  • Bespoke Rooflight System- Fixed structural glazing rooflight above extension (Invisio)
  • Aluminium framing in RAL 7021 Matt to match vertical systems
  • Low E coating ( to enhance thermal effciency)
  • Solar control coating ( to manage heat gain on south facing elevations)
 
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