Penn Estate Dorset, Clifftops

The Cliffside Hotel development comprises five luxury holiday lodges positioned within the rugged coastal landscape of Dorset's Jurassic Coast.

The lodges replaced existing static caravans and were designed as a complete transformation of this section of the Penn Estate Hotel. Positioned between two listed castles, the development uses a combination of stone, metal cladding and extensive glazing to create a collection of contemporary accommodation that sits within the existing landscape.

Large glazed elevations form a central part of the architectural design, allowing guests to experience uninterrupted views of the coastline from within the lodges. Each lodge also has an external terrace accessed through slim-framed sliding doors, with frameless glass balustrades providing safety without obstructing the surrounding views.

A key objective of the Cliffside Hotel development was to create luxury accommodation that remained closely connected to its coastal surroundings.

The lodges were deliberately designed to sit within the rugged landscape rather than dominate it. Varying shapes, levels and heights respond to the complexity of the cliffside setting, while stone and metal external materials help integrate the buildings into their surroundings.

Glazing was central to this approach. Large areas of glass allow the surrounding coastline to become part of the interior experience, with corner-to-corner glazing providing extensive views and natural light throughout the living spaces.

The minimal windows® sliding doors were selected to provide opening access to the private terraces while maintaining minimal visible framing. This allows guests to experience a strong visual connection with the landscape even when the doors are closed.

The use of frameless glass balustrades around the terraces continues the same design principle, providing the required safety barrier while keeping the views across the coastline as unobstructed as possible.

The exposed coastal setting of the development meant that the glazing needed to provide both high thermal performance and resistance to demanding environmental conditions.

The minimal windows® 4+ sliding door system was specified with triple-glazed units, providing enhanced thermal insulation for the individual hotel lodges. The high-performance glazing specification was particularly important for maintaining comfortable internal temperatures within accommodation positioned directly within the exposed coastal landscape..

The sliding door systems were also designed to accommodate the wind loads associated with the coastal location.

The location of the development presented several challenges for the architectural glazing package.

The five lodges are positioned directly within an exposed coastal landscape, requiring the glazing systems to accommodate increased environmental exposure and wind loading. The specification therefore needed to balance the aesthetic requirements of slim framing and expansive glazing with the technical demands of a seafront development.

The project also required high levels of thermal performance without compromising the minimal appearance of the glazing. Triple-glazed units were incorporated into the minimal windows® 4+ sliding doors to provide enhanced insulation while maintaining the slim aluminium sightlines required by the architectural design.

The relationship between the glazing and the surrounding landscape was another important consideration. Large glazed elevations, slim sliding doors and frameless balustrades needed to provide the required functionality and safety while keeping visual interruptions to a minimum.

The completed Cliffside Hotel development demonstrates how high-performance architectural glazing can be used to create luxury hospitality spaces that remain closely connected to their natural surroundings.

The combination of minimal sliding doors, structural glazing, frameless picture windows, slim-framed casement windows and frameless glass balustrades creates a consistent architectural language throughout the development.

For guests, the result is a series of luxury coastal lodges where the surrounding landscape remains the focus. Large areas of glass bring natural light into the interiors throughout the day, while the unobstructed views allow guests to experience the Jurassic Coast from within the accommodation.

The project demonstrates the potential for slim sliding doors to combine architectural minimalism with the performance requirements of demanding coastal hospitality environments.

The Cliffside Hotel glazing package incorporated minimal windows® 4+ sliding doors with triple glazing and specialist finishes designed for the exposed coastal location.

• Product: minimal windows® 4+ sliding doors
• Glazing: Triple-glazed units
• Number of sliding door sets: 14
• Wind load: 1.1 kN/m²

Architect: Morrow + Lorraine

Photography: Jim Stephenson

Location: Dorset