seele has composed a glass roof with approx. 1,010 insulating glass panes and 1,660 solid panels of the dome construction made from insulating glass at Brook Green in London, UK.

1,230

insulating glass units

1,490

solid panels made from insulating glass units

brook green, 184 shepherds bush road

In recent years, Hammersmith, a district to the west of central London, has been given a new lease of life, with seele making a contribution to various construction projects. The modernisation and refurbishment of the listed building at 184 Shepherds Bush Road, based on the designs of architects ColladoCollins, presents seele with the chance to create another architectural statement – this time in the shape of a curving glass roof over the top three storeys of this former garage and showroom dating from 1915. With light flooding through it, the roof looks like a charismatic crystal. These three additional storeys for conference rooms and offices are covered by a 60m long, 30m wide and 14m high dome-like glass roof. Some 2,700sqm of glass on a vibrant lattice structure of delicate tubular sections allow users an unobstructed view over the adjacent park.

  • The architects provided a very strong initial architectural concept of the glass dome. The detailed design work, structural calculations and erection of the entire glass roof were then developed in close collaboration between seele and ColladoCollins. The age of the building and the limited knowledge about its load-carrying capacity called for an intelligent design that would not be susceptible to settlement and would carry the loads without transferring them to the glass roof. The aim of seele and the architects was to not only guarantee a pleasant internal atmosphere for the future office users but also provide an aesthetics that is reminiscent of the industrial character of this 100-year-old building. Accordingly, the constructivist structure of vertical and diagonal tubular sections is modelled on classic examples from the 19th century.

    The glass roof is supported on a new steel I-beam structure erected on the level of the existing second floor. At its highest point, the roof joins up with the new central service core and pinned-end columns support it off the fourth floor. Vertical tapering tubular members dominate the appearance of the glass roof. Together with the diagonal, shallower tubes, the result is a distinctive lattice. Different member depths and a random arrangement of diamond-shaped glass and solid panels create an exciting surface which – viewed from any angle – are a remarkable organic glass envelope.


    Another special feature of the seele design is the member/node arrangement. Six members intersect at every node. Each node is a milled solid element and in some cases more than 50cm across. The form of these nodes imitates the design of the members in such a way that they blend almost imperceptibly into the surface. In the highly aesthetic, homogeneous surface, the vertical sections simply converge. A consistent, productive climate on all three new floors is achieved by combining transparent insulating glass units made from laminated safety glass with a solar-control coating with opaque solid panels made from insulating glass units, thermal insulation and powder-coated sheet metal. The sealing system makes use of seele’s tried-and-tested “2nd line of defence” system. In contrast to standard solutions, in this system the elements are not just glued together but sealed mechanically as well as by applying pressure from outside.
    One hundred years of building history separate the historic structure itself and the modern three floors beneath the glass dome. However, seele in collaboration with the design team have managed to unite both eras perfectly by creating a sensitive glass roof solution and at the same time creating a new landmark for Hammersmith.

    Reference overview and Header image: © ColladoCollins Architects

  • seele was responsible for the realisation of the three storey high dome-like glass roof with lattice structure of the Brook Green in London.
  • The construction is a member/node arrangement, which means, six members are intersect at every node.
  • With the light flooding through it, the roof of the Brook Green looks lika a charismatic crystal.
  • The brook green building was errected in 1915 and is a listed building.
seele was responsible for the realisation of the three storey high dome-like glass roof with lattice structure of the Brook Green in London.
© Eugene Codjoe Photography
The construction is a member/node arrangement, which means, six members are intersect at every node.
© Eugene Codjoe Photography
With the light flooding through it, the roof of the Brook Green looks lika a charismatic crystal.
© Eugene Codjoe Photography
The brook green building was errected in 1915 and is a listed building.

Credits

Client Westerland Real Estates Limited
General contractor McLaren
Architect ColladoCollins Architects
Date of completion 2015
Scope of work by seele
  • Preliminary and detailed design, structural calculations for entire roof structure plus erection on site
  • 140t steel hollow sections
  • Approx. 1,230sqm / 1,010pcs insulating glass units made from laminated safety glass with solar-control coating
  • Approx. 1,490sqm / 1,660pcs solid panels made from insulating glass units, thermal insulation and powder-coated sheet metal