Contemporary glass house

Inspired by an architectural style more often seen in the hills above San Jose, California, the owners have built a glass pavilion near Cornwall’s wild Atlantic coast. In a sheltered valley full of trees and birdsong, this elegant modernist home offers a secluded haven, enveloped by nature.

The house is a delight of contrasting textures. Sunlight glints off the sleek gold fibreglass finish that clads the horizontal steels. Hand-cut grey Welsh slate has been used for its monolithic structural stonework. Long roof overhangs shade cool outdoor patio spaces. And everywhere there is flush glass to glass aluminium glazing in the slimmest frames designed to minimise visual barriers between the house and its landscape.

Suspended walkways hover above a natural spring-fed swimming pool and wildlife pond. Dappled light plays on patio, glass walls and water surfaces. Running water spools over ledges and levels, runs through gravel to return to the stream’s natural path. Edges are softened by swathes of ornamental grass.

Inside the owners have used durable, sustainable materials – wood, natural stone, bamboo – that work in harmony with the immediate surroundings. Their space is filled with natural light.

Achieving the glass house look

At initial survey stage, our technical surveyor recommended the ODC SL320 sliding system. Its expansive glass panels and sliding doors offer maximum light and glass with the slimmest frame profiles. It’s a beautiful system with minimal 20mm aluminium frames that are perfect for this contemporary property. Finished with a black powder coating, they’re the epitome of architectural modernism.

The owner, a property consultant for luxury developments, commented on the value of ODC’s site survey: “This was a collaborative thing .. we listened to each other… it was a two way conversation which got us to this result.”

On the ground floor a four panel sliding system runs the length of the kitchen dining area and connects this linear space with the wide terrace overlooking the pool. The doors open effortlessly from the centre on recessed narrow tracks.

The sunken living area is a dramatic glass box glazed with fixed glass panels soaring three metres high on three sides. Glass to glass pane installation ensures a frameless appearance.

On the upper floor, bespoke fixed windows create views at every turn. A long expanse of fixed ODC slimline windows illuminate the kitchen area from above, and the dramatically cantilevered bedroom has a floor to ceiling sliding system to provide a stunning outlook over the gardens and pools. Box reveal windows and windows hidden behind perforated cladding give this home unique style and detailing.

“ODC took care of it all. It just happened. A really effortless, seamless process.”