Frameless Structural Glazing Connecting Heritage Architecture with Contemporary Hospitality
Bailiffgate Hotel is a five-star boutique hotel located in Alnwick, Northumberland, combining the restoration of a Grade II listed Georgian building with a new build five storey extension. Designed by MawsonKerr Architects, the scheme transforms a historically significant structure into a contemporary hospitality destination with 48 rooms, restaurant, bar, and guest spaces.
IQ Glass was appointed to design, supply and install a specialist glazing package forming a frameless glazed link between the existing building and the new extension. The intervention provides a clear and minimal architectural connection, allowing both historic and contemporary elements to be read independently while supporting the operational flow of the hotel.
Design Drivers: Heritage, Contrast and Minimal Intervention
The architectural strategy centred on creating a sensitive transition between old and new, preserving the identity of the Georgian structure while introducing a contemporary extension capable of meeting modern hospitality requirements.
A key design driver was to ensure that the link between the two buildings remained visually lightweight and secondary, avoiding any dominant structural expression. Transparency, minimal framing and careful detailing were essential to maintain sightlines across the courtyard and ensure that both architectural languages remained legible.
At the same time, the glazing needed to deliver the environmental performance, durability, and acoustic control required within a high-end hotel environment.
Frameless Structural Glass Link
The central architectural gesture is realised through a series of frameless structural glass panels installed using the Invisio glazing system. Fixed panels were mechanically secured with concealed fixings, allowing the glazing to appear structurally independent of its supporting frame.
Across the link, 12 individual glass panels - each measuring approximately 950mm wide and up to 2400mm high - form a continuous transparent envelope. The minimal detailing allows light to pass freely between the two buildings while maintaining uninterrupted views of both the original stone façade and the zinc-clad extension.
By reducing the visual presence of framing elements, the glazing acts as a transparent connector, reinforcing the separation between historic and contemporary architecture while enabling a seamless spatial transition.
Integrated Entrance and Circulation
Within the glazed link, a double aluminium casement door system by Schüco provides a functional threshold between internal spaces while maintaining the overall minimalist aesthetic.
The door system measures approximately 2.1m wide by 2.4m high and is finished in PPC aluminium to align with the external cladding palette. Slim sightlines and careful integration ensure consistency with the surrounding structural glazing.
An acoustic interlayer within the glazed door units was specified to enhance sound insulation - an important consideration in a hospitality setting where guest comfort and noise control are critical.
Performance and Environmental Detailing
The glazing systems were engineered to respond to both the environmental conditions of the site and the operational requirements of the building.
All glazing units were specified as double glazed toughened glass with low-emissivity coatings, supporting improved thermal performance while maintaining high levels of light transmission. The system contributes to a stable internal environment without compromising the transparency required for the architectural concept.
Given the exposed Northumberland location, all aluminium framing elements—both visible and concealed - were finished with a marine-grade PPC coating to ensure long-term durability and resistance to corrosion.
The integration of acoustic laminated glass within key elements further enhances internal comfort, ensuring that the link space performs effectively within the wider hotel environment.
Glazing as Spatial Connection
Beyond its technical performance, the glazed link plays an important role in shaping the spatial and experiential qualities of the hotel.
The introduction of natural light into the connecting space enhances the transition between historic and contemporary areas, while framed views of the courtyard and surrounding architecture reinforce orientation and movement through the building.
Rather than acting as a standalone architectural feature, the glazing supports the overall design narrative by enabling clarity between building forms and strengthening the relationship between interior space and external context.
Project Details
Project Type: Heritage refurbishment and boutique hotel development
Location: Alnwick, Northumberland, UK
Architect: MawsonKerr Architects
Main Contractor: Robertson Construction North East
Glazing Contractor: IQ Glass
Primary Systems: Frameless structural glazing (Invisio system) Aluminium casement door system (Schüco)
Glazing Specification: Double-glazed toughened glass with low-emissivity coating Acoustic laminated interlayer within door glazing
Key Elements: 12 fixed structural glass panels (approx. 950mm wide × 2400mm high)
Double casement door (approx. 2100mm × 2400mm)
Finish: Marine-grade PPC aluminium in RAL 7006 (Beige Grey)
Outcome
The Bailiffgate Hotel demonstrates how frameless structural glazing can be carefully integrated within a heritage context, enabling a contemporary intervention that remains visually subordinate to the existing architecture.
Through minimal detailing, high-performance specification, and precise coordination, the glazed link achieves a balance between architectural clarity, durability, and environmental performance - supporting both the operational demands and spatial experience of a modern hospitality environment.
