Slim sliding doors in Devon

Tavistock is a contemporary glass rear extension to a Grade II listed home in Devon, designed to create a more open and naturally illuminated living environment.

The project centred on introducing extensive glazing while respecting the character of the existing property and its rural setting. Large minimal windows® sliding doors form the primary glazed elevation, opening the living areas directly onto the garden and creating a strong connection between the interior and exterior.

Structural glass walls and a structural glass roof were incorporated into the extension, allowing natural light to enter from multiple directions while maintaining minimal visual obstruction.

The glazing package was designed and installed by IQ Glass in collaboration with Le Page Architects and EL Greening & Son Ltd. The combination of slim-framed sliding doors and frameless structural glazing allows the contemporary extension to sit alongside the existing home without visually overwhelming its original architecture.

The central objective of the Tavistock project was to create a contemporary living space that remained closely connected to the surrounding countryside.

The homeowners wanted to introduce more natural light, openness and uninterrupted views while maintaining a clean architectural appearance.

Minimal windows® sliding doors were selected to achieve this, with 21mm sightlines reducing the visual impact of the aluminium framing. The large glazed panels allow the surrounding landscape to remain a prominent feature of the interior, rather than being interrupted by substantial door frames.

The two-track bi-parting configuration allows the sliding panels to move away from the central opening, creating a wide aperture between the living space and garden.

The extension also incorporates structural glass walls and a structural glass roof, extending the use of transparent materials beyond the sliding door elevation. These elements allow daylight to enter the interior while maintaining a minimal architectural composition.

The aluminium finish provides a defined contemporary frame, complementing the modern extension while allowing the glazing itself to remain the principal visual feature.

The overall design creates a considered relationship between the original listed home, the new glazed extension and the surrounding Devon landscape.

The minimal windows® sliding doors incorporate a thermally broken aluminium system with bonded glass, combining slim sightlines with thermal performance.

The glazing specification includes double glazing with solar control and low-emissivity coatings. These coatings help manage solar gain while supporting thermal performance, allowing the extension to benefit from high levels of natural light without overlooking the comfort of the internal environment.

The structural glass walls were also specified as part of the wider glazing strategy, maintaining transparency across the extension while providing the necessary separation between internal and external spaces.

The combination of thermally broken framing, coated double glazing and carefully integrated structural glass allowed the project to achieve its architectural objectives while addressing the practical requirements of a highly glazed living space.

The Tavistock project required careful coordination between the new glazing, the existing listed property and the constraints of the surrounding site.

The sloping site and proximity to the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty meant that the design needed to demonstrate a high standard of architectural quality and material selection as part of the planning process.

The extension also needed to introduce contemporary glazing without compromising the character of the original home. The design therefore required a clear relationship between the existing solid elements and the new transparent elevations.

Structural tolerances, drainage detailing and frame concealment were refined collaboratively between IQ Glass and Le Page Architects. The sliding doors and structural glass walls needed to integrate precisely, creating minimal junctions while accommodating the technical requirements of the installation.

The large glazed openings also required careful consideration of structural support, load-bearing requirements and installation precision.

With the coordination of glazing systems in the wider architectural design, the project achieved a clean, minimal finish while maintaining the functionality required for everyday family living.

The completed Tavistock extension transforms the relationship between the traditional home, its garden and the surrounding Devon countryside.

The minimal windows® sliding doors create a large glazed opening between the living areas and exterior, allowing natural light to enter the property while maintaining expansive views across the landscape.

The two-track bi-parting arrangement provides flexibility between an enclosed interior and a more open connection with the garden. With the doors closed, the slim aluminium framing maintains a minimalist appearance, while the high-performance glazing supports comfort within the extension.

The addition of structural glass walls and a structural glass roof further enhances the sense of openness, allowing transparency and daylight to become defining elements of the new space.

The project demonstrates how contemporary glazing can be introduced to a traditional listed property through careful architectural coordination, considered material selection and precise detailing.

Tavistock shows how minimal windows® sliding doors can support a contemporary extension in Devon, combining slim sightlines, thermal performance and a strong connection with the surrounding landscape.

Minimal windows® sliding door system with a two-track bi-parting configuration, 21mm sightlines and a RAL 7016 aluminium finish, integrated alongside structural glass walls and a structural glass roof.

• Thermally broken aluminium sliding door system with bonded glass and ultra-slim 21mm sightlines.

• Two-track bi-parting configuration allowing the sliding panels to open away from the central meeting point.

Architect: Le Page Architects

Contractor: EL Greening & Son Ltd

Photography: Richard Downer

Location: Tavistock, Devon