Hurstpierpoint College Chapel

Channel Set Glass Balustrades

Project

Channel-Set Glass Balustrades

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Ecclesiastical Award Winner 2013 – Award Contributor

Product

Glass balustrades; glass balustrading to stairs; bespoke handrails to the staircase and the glass balustrades on the mezzanine floor

Overview

Ion Glass have provided innovative and stylish bespoke glass solutions for ecclesiastical projects and educational projects in the past, however the Chapel at Hurstpierpoint College combined both: a glass installation that meets the functional demands of a busy school whilst blending seamlessly with the traditional surroundings of the chapel itself.

Hurstpierpoint College moved to its Mansion House location in 1872, when it was built to resemble the collegiate system at Oxford & Cambridge with Inner and Outer quads and a distinctly separate chapel. The school has grown significantly and space in the chapel during the weekly Eucharist service had become increasingly limited.

The entire project had to be completed within the summer holiday period in readiness for the start of the new school year.

Technical Information

John D. Clarke Architects designed a suspended gallery to be constructed in the space above the main entrance to the chapel with a glass balustrade to ensure an unobstructed view of the nave and altar. The gallery is connected by glass screens to the dining hall enabling visitors to see right through into the chapel from the main hall.

Channel-set glass balustrades, allowing for precise positioning, were installed around the suspended gallery – the overall effect created is of a gallery that is almost floating above the narthex floor.

Access from the dining hall is via bespoke semi-circular wooden steps, fitted with additional channel set glass balustrading to reflect and match the glass balustrades around the gallery.

Templates were produced prior to manufacture by Ion Glass technicians to ensure a perfect fit.

  • Chaplain Jeremy Sykes said he is "very pleased with the new gallery", describing it as "beautiful architecture that does not detract from the rest of the chapel". Headmaster Tim Manly added, "although modern in construction and style, the new gallery fits beautifully within the building. It is an outstanding addition to our chapel.”

    Chaplain Jeremy Sykes
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