Fodens Farm is a prominent residential and agricultural property near Macclesfield, set within the rolling countryside of rural Cheshire. Designed by Weir & Co, the project combined the conversion of existing farm buildings with a new extension constructed using traditional style brickwork and contemporary architectural glazing.
IQ Glass was appointed to design, supply and install an extensive glazing package across multiple phases of the development. The works included a two-storey wraparound glazed gable, large scale double-height structural glazing, a 25 metre long glazed walkway and several slim sliding door systems, including glazed access to the garage.
Design Drivers: Scale, Landscape and Architectural Continuity
The architectural approach sought to introduce large areas of glass within a rural property characterised by traditional brickwork and agricultural forms. The glazing was used to increase daylight, frame views of the surrounding countryside and establish stronger visual connections between the converted buildings, new extension and wraparound courtyard.
The scale and variety of the glazing created different technical requirements across the property. Slim sliding systems, shaped gable glazing, double-height structural glass and a long glazed walkway all required individual responses to opening size, glass weight, structural loads and installation access. Maintaining consistent finishes and minimal sightlines helped unify these elements across the phased development.
Two Storey Wraparound Glazed Gable
A two storey wraparound glazed gable forms one of the principal architectural features of the new extension. At ground floor level, slim sliding glass doors create wide openings to the surrounding landscape. The front elevation spans approximately 6.8 metres and rises just over 3 metres, with two sliding panes and one fixed pane arranged across a three-track system.
The sliding doors continue around the side elevations. One junction incorporates a fixed glass-to-glass corner, while the other uses an open-corner arrangement with one fixed and one sliding panel. This combination allows the lower level to open around the corner while minimising the visual impact of the aluminium framing.
Above the doors, the upper storey was created using Invisio® structural glazing. Six fixed panes extend across a width of approximately 7 metres, with shaped glass units following the pitch of the roof. The structural glazing also wraps around the side elevations, completing the transparent upper section of the gable.
Double-Height Structural Glazing
A separate double-height structural glass elevation measures approximately 5.2 metres wide by 5.3 metres high. It is formed from three substantial panes, each weighing approximately 586kg. A crane was required to position the glass safely during installation due to the dimensions and weight of the units.
The glazing uses clear toughened safety glass with laminated interlayers and low-emissivity coatings. Heat-soak testing was specified to reduce the risk of spontaneous breakage associated with undetectable nickel sulphide inclusions in toughened glass. The minimal structural detailing allows the elevation to read as a large, uninterrupted glazed surface.
Structural Glass Walkway
A long structural glass wall was installed along the connecting walkway, creating a transparent elevation approximately 25.2 metres in length and 2.8 metres high. The wall comprises 12 panels, each weighing approximately 305kg, connected by 8mm black structural silicone joints.
The glass specification incorporates laminated interlayers, solar control and low-emissivity coatings. This combination helps manage solar gain and thermal performance while retaining daylight and views along the circulation route. The repeated panels and narrow silicone joints create a consistent glazed surface across the length of the walkway.
Sliding Glass Doors for the Garage
Additional slim sliding systems were installed across the property, including a three-track arrangement providing vehicle access to the garage. Measuring approximately 9 metres wide and 2.1 metres high, the system incorporates three sliding panes weighing approximately 232kg each.
The doors follow the same glass and frame specification as the sliding systems within the glazed gable. This use of consistent slim aluminium detailing allows the practical garage opening to form part of the wider architectural language rather than appearing as a separate industrial element.
Performance and Glazing Specification
The sliding systems use clear, heat-soak tested toughened double glazing with low-emissivity coatings. Laminated interlayers were incorporated into the structural glass installations, with solar control added to the glazed walkway and selected roof glazing.
All aluminium frames were finished in RAL 7016 Matt. The main sliding systems were designed for wind loads of 0.65kN/m² and incorporate 21mm interlocking profiles, flush threshold base frames and multipoint shoot-bolt locking. These details provide a consistent combination of minimal sightlines, accessibility, security and weather performance.
Project Details
Project Type: Rural farm building conversion and contemporary residential extension
Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
Architect: Weir & Co
Glazing Contractor: IQ Glass
Primary Systems: Slim sliding glass doors; Invisio structural glazing; shaped gable glazing; double-height structural glass; structural glass walkway; garage sliding doors; fixed rooflights
Glazing Specification: Clear toughened safety glass with low-emissivity coatings and heat-soak testing; laminated interlayers to structural glazing; solar control glass to the walkway and rooflights
Key Elements: Two-storey wraparound glazed gable; front sliding elevation measuring approximately 6772mm wide × 3013mm high; upper structural glass gable approximately 7010mm wide; double-height glazing measuring approximately 5165mm wide × 5277mm high; structural glass walkway approximately 25190mm long; garage sliding system approximately 8955mm wide
Finish: Aluminium framing in RAL 7016 Matt; black structural silicone joints to the glazed walkway
Outcome
Fodens Farm demonstrates how a coordinated architectural glazing package can connect converted agricultural buildings, contemporary additions and ancillary spaces across a rural property. The two storey glazed gable creates a transparent focal point, while the double-height glazing and structural glass walkway introduce daylight and maintain visual connections throughout the development.
Slim sliding doors, shaped structural glass and consistent aluminium finishes bring the different phases together as a coherent architectural composition. The result balances expansive glazing and minimal detailing with the structural strength and environmental performance required across a project of this scale.
