Perched on a dramatic Cornish headland overlooking Mevagissey Bay, Chapel Point House is a Grade II listed 1936 Arts and Crafts residence designed by architect John A. Campbell. The home occupies a rare vantage point within the Cornwall National Landscape (AONB), making any architectural intervention both highly sensitive and technically challenging.
As part of an extensive heritage renovation led by CAD Architects, IQ Glass was appointed to design and deliver a tailored glazing package that would modernise the building while retaining its historic integrity. The brief called for a refined extension that increased natural light, improved environmental performance and strengthened the visual connection to the coastline—without disrupting the character of the original stone-built house.
Responding to Heritage and Landscape
The site’s heritage designation and exposed clifftop setting shaped every design decision. Earlier additions to the house had been poorly constructed and detracted from the original architectural language. The renovation sought to replace these with a coherent extension that respected the Arts and Crafts detailing while aligning with contemporary living requirements.
Marine exposure presented additional constraints: glazing systems needed to resist salt spray, wind pressures and long-term corrosion, all while achieving slender sightlines suitable for a heritage environment. IQ Glass worked closely with the architect to ensure the glazing strategy enhanced both the building’s material expression and its immersive relationship with the coastal landscape.
Steel-Framed Glazing as a Structural and Visual Anchor
To define the façade of the new extension, IQ Glass installed a composition of thermally broken steel-framed doors in a slim CWS‑65 system. Positioned between existing stone piers, the doors are finished in a marine‑grade white powder coating that mirrors the house’s external palette.
Horizontal glazing bars were incorporated at the architect’s request, echoing the rhythm and detail of the original building while maintaining a minimal and contemporary profile. The ultra‑slim steel framing preserves long sea views across the terrace, creating a seamless transition between interior living spaces and the surrounding coastal gardens.
On the seaward elevation, a matching pair of steel double doors is flanked by frameless structural glass picture windows, establishing an uninterrupted panorama of the English Channel. These transparent elements lighten the extension’s massing and reinforce its relationship with the landscape.
Structural Glass Roof Engineering for Coastal Conditions
Above the steel façade, IQ Glass designed a four‑pane structural glass roof supported by marine‑grade steel box and tee sections. Each panel—approximately 242kg—was fabricated with solar control and low‑emissivity coatings to regulate thermal performance in full sun.
The roof connects directly to the existing stonework with clean, refined junctions that minimise visible structure. This overhead glazing draws daylight deep into the interior while introducing a contemporary architectural contrast to the home’s original material palette.
All steel components, fixings and coatings were engineered for long-term resilience in a marine environment, ensuring durability without compromising visual delicacy.
Enhancing Performance and Preserving Character
The renovation of Chapel Point House demonstrates how contemporary glazing systems can elevate a heritage property without diminishing its architectural identity. The new extension strengthens the home’s relationship to its clifftop setting, improves internal comfort and futureproofs a rare Cornish landmark for modern family life.
The result is an elegant merging of heritage craftsmanship and modern glazing technology—one that honours the spirit of the original 1936 design while enabling a new chapter of coastal living.
Technical Overview
Steel-Framed Systems: Mondrian CWS‑65 slim steel doors
Configuration: Four single doors set between stone pillars + one steel double door
Framing: Thermally broken steel with horizontal applied glazing bars
Finish: Marine‑grade polyester powder coating in white
Roof: Four‑pane structural glass roof supported by marine‑grade steel sections
Glass Specification: Double-glazed units with solar control and low‑e coatings
Additional Elements: Two frameless structural glass picture windows on the sea-facing façade
Approx. Roof Pane Weight: 242kg per panel
