Old High Mill is a substantial leisure wing extension added to a historic mill property near Bedale, North Yorkshire. Designed to provide a bright, year-round swimming environment, the extension combines contemporary glazing technologies with the character and setting of the original rural building. IQ Glass was appointed to design, supply and install a bespoke glazing package capable of performing within the demanding conditions of an indoor pool environment while maintaining minimal sightlines and uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.
Products Used
Project Partners
Nicholson Nairn Architects
Photography: Gary Wilson
Photography: Gary Wilson
Location
Bedale, North Yorkshire
Design Context and Pool Environment Challenges
Designing glazing for an indoor swimming pool requires careful consideration of both performance and durability. Unlike standard residential spaces, pool halls are subject to constant humidity, temperature fluctuations and exposure to chlorinated air, all of which can affect the long-term performance of glazing systems and architectural components.
For Old High Mill, the client envisioned a light-filled pool enclosure that would feel visually connected to the external terrace and countryside beyond. Large expanses of glazing were essential to achieving this ambition, allowing natural light to flood the interior while creating a strong relationship between the indoor pool and the surrounding landscape.
Alongside the environmental requirements, the restricted access conditions of the historic mill site presented logistical challenges during installation. Oversized glass units required specialist lifting operations, while careful coordination with the wider construction team was necessary to ensure the integration of thresholds, drainage systems and structural interfaces throughout the project.
Large Format Sliding Glazing for Indoor-Outdoor Living
The principal pool elevation is formed using ultra-slim sliding glass doors that create wide opening sections between the pool hall and external terrace. These large-format sliding systems provide flexibility throughout the year, allowing the space to be naturally ventilated during warmer months while maintaining high levels of weather protection and thermal performance when closed.
To suit the corrosive conditions typically associated with chlorinated environments, the glazing systems were specified with marine-grade finishes and carefully selected hardware components. This ensures long-term durability while preserving the clean, minimal appearance of the glazing installation.
The slim framing allows the focus to remain on the surrounding landscape, providing expansive views from the water's edge and reinforcing the sense of openness throughout the leisure space.
Structural Glass Design and Continuous Sightlines
Beyond the opening elevations, IQ Glass designed a series of structural glass walls that maximise transparency across the building envelope. Large-format glazed elevations use minimal-framed detailing and silicone-jointed glass connections to create uninterrupted views, helping the pool hall read as a single glazed volume.
The structural glazing design aligns precisely with the roof geometry, creating seamless transitions between vertical and overhead glazing elements. By removing unnecessary framing and visual interruptions, the architectural focus remains on the relationship between the interior environment, the surrounding gardens and the changing North Yorkshire sky.
Frameless Roof Glazing Designed for Pool Environments
A series of frameless rooflights brings natural daylight deep into the pool hall, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere while strengthening the connection between the interior and the outdoors. The combination of fixed roof glazing and large glazed elevations ensures even daylight distribution throughout the space, reducing the need for artificial lighting and enhancing the open character of the leisure wing.
Engineered specifically for the demands of a swimming pool environment, the roof glazing incorporates warm-edge spacer technology, enhanced perimeter sealing and concealed structural supports to help manage humidity and minimise condensation risk. Throughout the project, corrosion-resistant finishes, specialist hardware and solar-control glazing were specified to ensure long-term performance and occupant comfort within the chlorinated environment.
To further enhance durability and reliability, oversized glass units were heat-soak tested prior to installation, while specialist crane lifting operations allowed the large-format glazing to be safely installed within the constraints of the historic site. Finished in RAL 7021, the glazing package provides a refined contemporary contrast to the original mill building, combining architectural transparency, environmental performance and long-term resilience.
Technical Details
- Keller minimal windows® 2-track and 3-track sliding door systems
- Invisio® structural glazing system
- Sieger® HD aluminium casement windows with fire escape hinges
- Multi-pane frameless roof glazing installation
- Marine-grade finishes applied where required
- RAL 7021 external finish throughout
- Structural glass elevation measuring approximately 5.8m x 4.28m
- Multiple silicone-jointed structural glazing elevations
- Glass-to-glass junctions aligned with roof glazing for continuous sightlines
- Enhanced sealing and condensation management detailing for pool hall applications
Begin Your Swimming Pool Glazing Project
Old High Mill demonstrates how large-format glazing can transform indoor swimming pool environments, creating bright leisure spaces that remain visually connected to their surroundings while meeting the technical demands of high-humidity conditions.
IQ Glass works with architects, contractors and private clients to develop bespoke swimming pool glazing solutions that balance performance, durability and architectural design. Contact our technical team to discuss your project requirements.
