Bank Barn is a traditional rubble-stone barn in Cumbria, believed to date back to the eighteenth century. Now a Grade II listed building, it retains much of its original fabric, requiring every intervention to be approached with sensitivity and precision. IQ Glass was commissioned to design and deliver a bespoke glazing package that could meet contemporary performance standards while preserving the historic character of the structure. The result demonstrates how frameless glazing can elevate listed buildings in Cumbria through intelligent detailing and careful installation.
The project presented considerable challenges due to the fragility of the existing fabric. The original masonry and brickwork were structurally delicate, which meant that all glazing had to be installed within the envelope of the building. Conservation restrictions prevented any external fixings or alterations, demanding a highly coordinated approach. Limited site access further complicated the installation, as lifting equipment could not be used. Every glass element, some weighing more than 230 kilograms, had to be manoeuvred and fitted manually by the installation team working in confined conditions.
The glazing specification was guided by the need to combine visual lightness with thermal efficiency. Two Keller minimal windows systems were introduced, each triple glazed and designed with one fixed panel and one sliding on a two-track system. The smaller installation measured 1700 millimetres wide by 2300 millimetres high, while the larger reached 2770 millimetres wide by 3350 millimetres high. This larger sliding element was carefully aligned with a frameless structural glass window on the rear elevation, creating a clear sightline through the depth of the barn and establishing a seamless connection between inside and outside.
At the entrance, a Sieger Legacy Casement Door was installed alongside a fixed sidelight to maximise natural light in the threshold space. Two additional Sieger casement windows were incorporated to meet escape requirements while maintaining slim sightlines that remain discreet within the historic envelope.
On the rear elevation, a frameless structural glass window from the Invisio range provides the architectural centrepiece of the project. Installed directly opposite the large sliding system, the single fixed pane, weighing around 180 kilograms, was manually positioned without the use of machinery. The oversized glass intentionally overlaps the original masonry opening, allowing the internal stonework to remain visible while framing an uninterrupted view of the surrounding Cumbrian landscape. This subtle juxtaposition of old and new offers a striking but respectful contrast, enhancing rather than diminishing the building’s character.
The project was further complicated by unpredictable Cumbrian weather, with frequent rain and shifting conditions forcing repeated pauses during installation. Despite this, the glazing was delivered to the highest standard and completed within programme thanks to the skill and coordination of the site team.
Bank Barn stands as an example of how frameless glazing can be integrated into fragile heritage buildings without compromise. By combining precision engineering with an understanding of conservation, IQ Glass has created a home that honours its eighteenth-century origins while embracing light, views and the standards of contemporary living.
