The Glass Wave
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James Merrell (website) Download Original
As part of the master plan to design a single residency in London W2, AMA were asked to look at the re-design of an existing faux Victorian Conservatory which was made up of three timber framed acrylic glazed barrel vaults
The solution was to celebrate the existing form by producing the same three barrel vaults using more technological and sustainable systems. AMA looked to design a free-formed wave of glass with no visible framing which would aid to softening the spacial experience and also retain the external formality which Westminster desired.
This design offered double the natural light into the living area than previously. The W2 conservatory has the largest radii of horizontally placed curved glass in the UK. AMA approached many of the largest manufacturers of curved glass in the UK and internationally, and were rebuffed. The glass had to be double glazed and toughened and then finally coated with a metal oxide to achieve the regulation U-Values.
Data
- Begun: Jan 2009
- Completed: Feb 2011
- Floor area: 34m2
- Sector: House
- Total cost: £124,000
- Funding: Private
- Address: Clarendon Close , London, W2, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Andy Martin Associates
- Client: Mr and Mrs Robertson
Suppliers
- Bronze doors: Secco Sistemi Spa
- Curved glass supplier: Cricursa
- Precast concrete floors and stairs: Lazenby