Glade House is a five-bedroom family home in Surrey, designed by Winchester-based practice AR Design Studio.

The architects incorporated nature as a central theme, placing the house lightly within its wooded setting.

Four linear brick walls divide the plot. They define not only the open spaces of the ground floor, but also their relationship with the four gardens beyond. The design connects each room to the outdoors.

Full-height glazing extends across the brick walls, providing uninterrupted views and, thanks to flush floor and patio levels, seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces.

Natural light shapes the atmosphere and fluidity of the interiors. In the central corridor of the gallery there is a double-height oak-lined void with an exposed timber structure which supports a vast skylight.

As light passes through the wooden siding to ground level, the movement echoes the clearing itself and the openness of the surroundings, filling the heart of the house with sunlight.

The skylight is key to creating a sense of dynamic movement – ​​something the clients wanted to achieve – and facilitates not only the light levels needed, but also the molded shapes and patterns that change throughout the day.

Specification of Maxlight at Glade House

Maxlight provided the architectural glazing that brings the design to life.

From full height, it extends over the brick walls, creating panoramic views and a symbiosis between interior and exterior spaces.

Flush floor-level transitions enhance the feeling of space and ensure that each room feels intimately connected to the nature beyond.

Built-in sustainability

The orientation of the house maximizes natural solar gain in winter while protecting the interiors from excessive summer heat.

Large windows and fixed lights are positioned to maximize natural light and minimize energy consumption.

High-performance glazing provides natural lighting, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Thermally efficient solar control glass helps maintain a comfortable indoor climate year-round, reducing the demand for mechanical heating and cooling.