Issue 44 winter 24 - Journal - Page 46
Glass structures and links
Valuing the beauty of heritage buildings shouldn’t mean sacrificing modern requirements to the
constraints of a former age: when a building simply doesn’t have the space or provide the facilities you
need it’s important to recognise this and work with experts to find the best solution. Whilst maintaining
the essence of heritage buildings is important, buildings evolve and most have changed over time to
meet differing needs.
Adding an extension to an existing construction can raise
some interesting challenges, especially when the building
dates back hundreds of years. Consideration has to be
given not just to the aesthetics of the new addition but
also to the physical interface between modern building
technology and the centuries old techniques employed by
the original builders.
II listed building was dedicated in 1847 and had remained
relatively unchanged since this time. A generous legacy
from a former local headmistress funded the construction
of a significant extension, opening up the church to a
wide range of community activities from gatherings after
a service to yoga classes, gardening groups and bobbin lace
enthusiasts.
Frameless structural glass specialists Ion Glass have
worked closely with architects and builders on many
varied heritage, listed and ecclesiastical projects where
the properties of glass as a structural material play a key
role in the fully approved designs to modernise, improve
or extend older properties.
The new hall is linked to the original church building with
a full height structural glass link and includes the
innovative addition of a glass roof ridge along the full
length of the new hall, allowing light to flood into the new
space and providing an uplifting view of the original
church spire from the interior.
The church of St John the Evangelist in Manthorpe
has benefitted from an impressive new community hall
which incorporates extensive use of structural glass,
designed and installed by Ion Glass. The original, Grade
Below, Manthorpe church
