WHITECUBE

TRANSFORMATIVE BESPOKE GLAZING

White Cube

Bespoke glazing and its impact

CREDIT

-ARCHITECT: Hampson Williams / Williams Griffiths
-PHOTOGRAPHY: Tim Soar

PRODUCTS USED

-Bespoke Triangular glazing
-Vision Line Windows

LOCATION

-LONDON SE1

AWARDS

RIBA London Regions Award Shortlist – 2015
British Homes Sunday Times Award – 2016
RICS Awards – Highly Commended / Special Prize – 2017

We were asked to assist with this urban revitalisation project, transforming a once-dilapidated building at the corner of Lamb Walk and Bermondsey Street into a sophisticated mixed-use development. This initiative breathed new life into the area with high-quality apartments and commercial spaces. The design strategy preserved the building’s Bermondsey Street facade, including its distinctive “bookend” and familiar white rendered finish, while incorporating bold architectural fenestration and dramatic glazing innovations throughout the project. This approach highlights the pivotal role of aluminium windows, doors, and bespoke glazing solutions in achieving the project’s architectural vision.

The redevelopment’s design sought to balance the preservation of Bermondsey Street’s character with a contemporary reinterpretation on Lamb Walk. The glazing solutions were instrumental in achieving this balance.

The existing white rendered facade was maintained, but with carefully considered fenestration updates. High-performance aluminium windows were selected to replace the deteriorated originals. These new windows provided improved thermal performance, acoustic insulation, and a refined aesthetic, while respecting the street’s overall character. The slim profiles of the aluminium frames maximised daylight and offered a clean, modern contrast to the existing render.

The design for Lamb Walk took a more expressive approach, celebrating the site’s unique geometry. A key feature is the second-floor glazed element that projects over the street. This projection, achieved with a bespoke aluminium curtain wall system, creates a dynamic interplay of volume and light. The flush detailing of the glazing conceals the complex, triangulated forms that were shaped in response to sunlight and daylighting requirements. The precision and adaptability of aluminium extrusions were crucial in realising these complex geometric forms.

A canted, glazed winter garden, created with a bespoke aluminium framing system, separates the commercial space on Bermondsey Street from the two-story live-work unit at the rear. This element is subtly expressed on the Lamb Walk elevation through two vertical, blade-like windows. The glazing here provides both transparency and a sense of enclosure, creating a unique interior environment. The aluminium framing, with its inherent strength and minimal sightlines, was essential for achieving the desired transparency and structural integrity.

A ground-level, eye-level photograph of Noke House, showcasing a contemporary extension constructed with light-colored stone cladding and large, frameless glass sliding doors. The extension is attached to a traditional stone house with a slate roof and multiple chimneys. A paved patio surrounds the extension, and a well-maintained green lawn is in the foreground. The sky is overcast with white clouds.

A medium-shot, eye-level photograph of a modern dining room interior. The room features large, black-framed glass sliding doors that span the entire wall, offering a view of a landscaped backyard with a green lawn, a raised garden bed with a stone wall, and trees. The dining area includes a wooden table with chairs, a striped armchair, and a sideboard. The most prominent feature is the ceiling, constructed with a grid of light-colored wooden slats, creating a coffered effect, with square skylights interspersed throughout the grid. The floor is made of wide, light-colored wooden planks.

The Bermondsey Street redevelopment demonstrates the transformative power of well-considered glazing design. The project’s success hinges on the strategic use of high-quality aluminium windows, doors, and bespoke glazing systems. These systems not only met the demanding performance requirements of the project but also played a key role in shaping its architectural identity, creating a dynamic and engaging urban environment. The precision, strength, and versatility of aluminium were essential in realizing the architect’s vision, resulting in a harmonious blend of old and new.

For projects requiring bespoke high-performance glazing across the UK, contact us at info@arcvis.co.uk.