Open Corner House Extension, London

This contemporary rear extension transforms a traditional Edwardian home in London through the extensive use of minimal windows® sliding glass doors and structural glazing. Designed to strengthen the connection between the house and garden, the project creates a light-filled living environment where internal and external spaces merge seamlessly.

The architectural concept centred on creating a sheltered, almost "cave-like" interior that opens dramatically onto the rear garden. By incorporating minimal framed sliding glass doors across three elevations of the extension, the design maximises natural daylight while maintaining uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.

Read More

A standout feature of the scheme is the fully opening glass corner to the principal living area. When the sliding panels are retracted, the 90-degree corner disappears completely, leaving no visible corner post or framing. This creates a striking indoor-outdoor experience and allows the living space to extend naturally into the garden.

Above, a cantilevered roof structure removes the need for supporting columns within the glazed facade, enabling expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing and preserving the clean architectural lines of the extension. To complement the minimal glazing, a steel pergola wraps around the stepped rear elevation, providing a framework for climbing plants and soft landscaping. Over time, the planting will further blur the boundary between architecture and nature, reinforcing the project's "outside-in" design philosophy.

A separate elevation of sliding glass doors serves the dining area, bringing additional daylight deep into the floor plan and maintaining visual connections to the garden even when internal partitions are closed.

Project Partners

Charles Barclay Architects

Technical Specification

  • Keller minimal windows® sliding glass doors installed across three elevations, comprising:
    • 2-track all-sliding open corner system, 3101 x 3610mm, featuring a fully opening frameless 90-degree corner with no permanent corner post.
    • 2-track sliding system with one fixed panel, 2988 x 3106mm, providing additional garden access and daylight penetration.
    • 3-track all-sliding system, 3588 x 3106mm, with multiple panels stacking neatly to maximise the opening width.
  • Minimal aluminium profiles with high-performance insulated glazing units throughout.
  • Structural glass roof, 4283 x 3492mm, incorporating three glass support beams and a 50mm glass overhang to maximise natural light and maintain clean architectural lines.
  • Flush-integrated rooflight with a 1.4% fall for discreet drainage and uninterrupted sightlines.
  • Cantilevered roof structure allowing large expanses of glazing without visible support posts within the façade.

Additional Highlights

  • Fully opening structural glass corner with no fixed corner post
  • Keller minimal windows® slim framed sliding glass doors on three elevations
  • Cantilevered roof design eliminating the need for visible structural supports within the glazing
  • Large structural glass roof introducing daylight from above
  • Seamless connection between interior living spaces and garden
  • Steel pergola integrated with climbing planting to soften the architecture
  • Floor-to-ceiling glazing providing uninterrupted views and exceptional transparency

Find out how we can help with your project

Make an enquiry

Have any queries? Our team is ready to assist.