5 projects using interior glazing in open-plan spaces - Grand Designs Magazine

5 projects using interior glazing in open-plan spaces

These designs ideas invoke the bnefits of broken-plan living using interior glass partitions.

By Hugh Metcalf |

From glass doors to Crittall partition walls, glazing has a lot to offer the concept of broken-plan living in your home renovation.

glass partition between hall and living room

Image: HÛT Architecture Photo: Emanuelis Stasaitis

The trend for open-plan living has nurtured an offshoot of this design concept that seeks to utilise the best of open-plan’s ideas for sociable, unrestricted living, but bringing back that sense of comfort and envelopedness that it can sometimes lack. Broken-plan living, therefore, is a design style that still champions the open eyelines of a space, but uses less-rigid partitions to zone different areas within a space.

One of the most successful ways to do this is with interior glazing – transparent, so keeping that sense of openess and light, while offering a physical and often acoustic divide between fucntional areas.

Here’s 5 projects that have successfully integrated interior glazing as part of a broken-plan scheme.

Hallway partition

As part of the renovation of this townhouse in Hackney, HÛT Architecture reconfigured the existing internal layout to reinstate an entrance hall. Large Crittall-style internal glazed walls help to differentiate the spaces, without sacrificing the open-plan feel of the main living space.

Stair balustrade

crittall glass as balustrade on stairs - home improvements - grand designs

Image: Vine Architecture Studio. Photo: Nicholas Worley 

With building regulations requiring a balustrade on open staircases, glass is often a popular choice for retaining the simplified silhouette of stylish modern stair designs. In this project by Vine Architecture Studio, a double Crittall-style screen has been employed, which is fixed to a track recessed in the ceiling. This allows for one of the screens to be moved and completely separate the living and dining spaces when necessary.

From glass doors to Crittall partition walls, glazing has a lot to offer the concept of broken-plan living in your home renovation.

glass partition between hall and living room

Image: HÛT Architecture Photo: Emanuelis Stasaitis

The trend for open-plan living has nurtured an offshoot of this design concept that seeks to utilise the best of open-plan’s ideas for sociable, unrestricted living, but bringing back that sense of comfort and envelopedness that it can sometimes lack. Broken-plan living, therefore, is a design style that still champions the open eyelines of a space, but uses less-rigid partitions to zone different areas within a space.

One of the most successful ways to do this is with interior glazing – transparent, so keeping that sense of openess and light, while offering a physical and often acoustic divide between fucntional areas.

Here’s 5 projects that have successfully integrated interior glazing as part of a broken-plan scheme.

Hallway partition

As part of the renovation of this townhouse in Hackney, HÛT Architecture reconfigured the existing internal layout to reinstate an entrance hall. Large Crittall-style internal glazed walls help to differentiate the spaces, without sacrificing the open-plan feel of the main living space.

Stair balustrade

crittall glass as balustrade on stairs - home improvements - grand designs

Image: Vine Architecture Studio. Photo: Nicholas Worley 

With building regulations requiring a balustrade on open staircases, glass is often a popular choice for retaining the simplified silhouette of stylish modern stair designs. In this project by Vine Architecture Studio, a double Crittall-style screen has been employed, which is fixed to a track recessed in the ceiling. This allows for one of the screens to be moved and completely separate the living and dining spaces when necessary.

Image: Mikhail Riches. Photo: Tim Crocker

Mezzanine levels

Using glass as a partition to a mezzanine level is a choice worth considering. Where it ensures opens up the space to embrace its heightened nature and improve the connection between these areas, it also reduces privacy to the mezzanine level, which may be desired if this space is being used as a quiet nook or office. In this Hoxton House by Mikhail Riches, the frameless glass partition connects this informal sitting room with the double-height rear extension, ensuring it takes full advantage of the space’s natural light.

Interior windows

Havwoods london home wooden flooring kitchen internal window- grand designs

Image: Havwoods

Where completely opening up a space isn’t an option, internal windows can be used to connect spaces and make use of natural light. In this project featuring Havwoods flooring, not only does the interior windows offer a throughline of vision from the front to the back of the house, it also allows the kitchen to borrow light from the stairwell, which is fitted with a rooflight.

High-spec finishes

ensuite bathroom with glazed partition wall - grand designs

Image: West One Bathrooms. Photo: Nicholas Worley 

Glazing also offers an opportunity to install broken-plan design in smaller spaces with adjoining rooms. This West One Bathrooms project uses a metal-framed partition and door to ensure the bedroom and bathroom make use of each other’s light and sense of space.

 

Are you looking to install an interior glazed partition? Share your thoughts with us by tweeting us @granddesigns or post a comment on our Facebook page.

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