Shireburn is a large contemporary family home in Formby, Merseyside, designed by DK-Architects. The design presents two distinct architectural characters: an Arts and Crafts inspired front façade with traditional brick detailing and sash windows, and a contemporary garden-facing elevation defined by recessed terraces, cantilevered forms and large areas of glazing.

IQ Glass was appointed to design, supply and install a comprehensive architectural glazing package. This included slim sliding glass door systems, Invisio® structural glazing, two structural glass roofs, slim aluminium casement windows and doors, a glazed link and an internal MIRO glass pocket door.

Design Drivers: Architectural Contrast, Daylight and Garden Connection

The architectural concept creates a deliberate contrast between the traditional street facing facade and the contemporary rear of the house. While the front responds to the Arts and Crafts character of the surrounding area, the rear uses large format glazing to open the principal living spaces to the garden and recessed terraces.

The glazing design needed to maximise daylight and exterior views while maintaining minimal sightlines across several different spaces. Large sliding openings, shaped gable glazing and double-height structural glass were coordinated within a consistent material palette, supporting a clear architectural language throughout the property.

The coastal location also influenced the specification. External aluminium framing required a durable marine grade finish, while flush thresholds and slim profiles were used to preserve the visual and physical connection between the interiors and landscaped garden.

Slim Sliding Glass Doors

Multiple slim sliding glass door systems were installed across the lounge, garden room, kitchen and dining area, garden studio and master suite. The largest system is positioned in the lounge and measures approximately 6.3 metres wide by 3 metres high. Arranged across three tracks, it comprises two sliding panes and one fixed pane, with each glass panel weighing approximately 250kg.

A further three-track system opens the kitchen and dining area to the garden. Within the garden room, a sliding door meets a fixed panel along the side return, forming a clean glazed junction with minimal framing when closed.

Flush thresholds create level transitions to the terraces, while internal key locking provides security without introducing visually dominant hardware. The frames are finished in RAL 9005 Black Matt with a marine grade coating for long-term durability in the coastal environment.

Glazed Gable and Double Height Structural Glass

The master suite incorporates a glazed gable combining a three-track sliding system at the lower level with three shaped Invisio structural glass panels above. The lower arrangement measures approximately 5.2 metres wide and includes two sliding panes and one fixed panel. Silicone joints between the shaped upper panes minimise visible framing and allow the glazing to follow the pitched roofline.

A separate double-height frameless window introduces a strong vertical glazed element within the kitchen and dining area. Measuring approximately 6 metres high and 2.2 metres wide, the window comprises two fixed panes connected by a discreet silicone joint. This structural glass elevation brings daylight deep into the interior while maintaining the restrained detailing used across the rear of the house.

Glazed Link and Wider Glazing Package

A glazed link connects the garage to the main house, creating a transparent transition between the two structures. The link extends approximately 4.9 metres and comprises two fixed glass panels with an Sieger aluminium framed single door.

Two Invisio structural glass roofs, together with slim aluminium casement windows and doors, extend the contemporary glazing language across the property. Internally, a MIRO glass door was fitted within a pocket system, allowing the panel to slide away discreetly when open.

The main external systems use double glazed clear toughened safety glass that has been heat soak tested to reduce the risk of spontaneous breakage associated with undetectable inclusions in toughened glass. Consistent black framing creates visual continuity between the different glazing systems.

Project Details

Project Type: Contemporary private family home
Location: Formby, Merseyside, UK
Architect: DK-Architects
Glazing Contractor: IQ Glass
Primary Systems: Keller minimal windows sliding glass doors; Invisio structural glazing; structural glass roofs; Sieger aluminium casement windows and doors; glazed link; MIRO internal glass pocket door
Glazing Specification: Double glazed clear toughened safety glass with heat soak testing

Key Elements: Six slim sliding glass door systems; largest system measuring approximately 6259mm wide × 3020mm high; glazed gable with shaped structural glass; double height frameless window measuring approximately 6012mm high × 2224mm wide; glazed link approximately 4934mm wide; two structural glass roofs
Finish: Marine-grade aluminium framing in RAL 9005 Black Matt

Outcome

Shireburn demonstrates how a coordinated architectural glazing package can unite the different spaces of a contemporary family home. Slim sliding doors create broad connections with the garden, while the glazed gable, double height window and structural glass roofs introduce light and transparency throughout the building.

The consistent use of minimal framing and marine-grade black finishes establishes a cohesive contemporary identity across the rear elevation, providing a deliberate contrast with the Arts and Crafts inspired architecture at the front of the property.