Cantifix is a word synonymous with innovation within the glazing industry. We have maintained a strong pioneer spirit ever since we first launched in the 1980s, and have worked hard to maintain a place at the forefront of architectural glass design and installation ever since we first coined the term Structural Glazing. Today we are delving back through our history books to take a look at the times when we have done a few things for the first time ever.
Cantifix essentially invents structural glazing
Back in 1991, we worked on a completely experimental project called Fitzroy Park. Alongside Eva Jiricna Architects, we created the first-ever project to use glass to bear building loads: a unique innovation of architectural skill and the first structure that could be truly called structural glazing. It worked so well that it set the standard in building design for years to come.
How did it work? Frameless glass panels were expertly bonded with silicone, meaning that no visible structural support was needed. A new era of architectural glass was born.
First structural glazed roof
Now with a taste for the innovative, we took on the next challenge – a fully structural glazed roof. This happened in 1992 for the Metro Photo Studio at Clerkenwell, a location that relied on access to as much natural light as possible. Since then we have continued to find ways to open up the top of buildings to light in ever more practical ways, such as creating the largest motorised sliding rooflight in the UK -a huge 5.5m with an opening section of 2.8m- set within a fixed frameless wall. Now, you can’t get better access to the sky than that.
The first two-storey glass link/bridge
In the heart of Soho, London, Cantifix engineered the world’s first double-storey, fully frameless glass walkway. This innovative structure overcame complex engineering challenges to create a safe, visually striking, and functional link between two historic buildings. The two-storeys are fully glazed – even the floor of the top storey is made of glass, with a lace interlay as a nod to the locations past and as a modesty device- and with no visual structural support, making the bridge over Walkers Court truly unique.The project showcases the versatility and durability of glass as a building material, all while creating a beautiful feature within a popular tourist destination.
The first UV corner with switchable glass
When it comes to glass, privacy is a key factor in people deciding to opt out of glazing. But this needn’t be the case. Switchable glass means that you can turn clear glass to opaque at the touch of a button. Cantifix introduced the first switchable glass UV corner window, combining the visual appeal of an invisible glass corner with the practical applications of switchable glass – perfect for the bathroom setting in which it was situated. This innovative product features technology that allows for dynamic control of light and privacy, enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of modern buildings.
Sylvan Glade: making glass work
Another project from a while back is the Sylvan Glade, that some people may recognise from Grand Designs – a TV show that Cantifix is no stranger to. As part of the brief for a modern, highly glazed home, Sylvan Glade was the first house in the UK to use heat mirror film technology on a large scale. At the time this was an ingenious new material, which allowed users to experience all the health and well-being benefits of natural light, whilst minimising potential heat loss through the glass. Conversely, it also prevents the house from overheating in the summer months.
A glass walkway that floats above Roman ruins.
When tasked with creating a clear walkway above the ruins of a Roman villa, we were told that there needed to be as minimal disruptions to the views as possible. The walkway needed to appear to float above the archaeological ruins. No problem! We set to work and came up with innovative ways in which this could work – using a fixing system of our own design. This was achieved using minimal, almost invisible fixings, with the walkway being essentially suspended from the glass balustrade. allowing visitors to fully appreciate the historical site without obstruction. The glass façade of the building mirrored this, at over 50m long, it also incorporated special spacers to maximise views of the landscape, further enhancing the visitor experience
When it comes to glazing innovation, it is not always about making the biggest, most impressive project, with the least amount of framework. We are also interested in what glass does for the lives of those using it. As such we have supported research into the study of natural light on the human body, and used the findings to create glass that can enhance this even further.
Photon Project
In collaboration with Oxford University, we created a fully glazed building to house a groundbreaking 24-hour study to investigate the impact of natural light on human biology and well-being. The Photon Space is a remarkable all-glass house, with a self-contained living space that offers a unique and immersive experience of nature. Its unique ability to provide constant exposure to natural light makes it the perfect tool for such a study. This pioneering research has led to a deeper understanding of how natural light influences sleep patterns, mood, and productivity. Led by Professor Russell Foster for Oxford University, it is currently located in Sweden, where the research is ongoing until 2030
Solstice Glass: the first glass designed to harness the benefits of natural light.
Following the findings of the photon project, we were eager to create a glass product that harnesses the power of daylight. The result was Solstice Glass: the first glass product specifically designed to optimise the benefits of natural light. This innovative solution enhances well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life by maximising exposure to natural light while minimising harmful UV rays. It features low iron glass and a layer to filter UV light, and can be applied to so many different glass products in residential, commercial or public spaces – such as glass walls and glass roofs.
Largest single pane of glass
Our most recent innovation comes in the form of the largest rather than the first. We achieved another milestone by installing a huge 20m x 3m double-glazed unit – the largest double-glazed unit in all of Europe! This is a key feature at the equally groundbreaking Emily Hobhouse Museum in Cornwall, a beautiful example of when old meets new in a way that creates an entirely new experience for visitors to enjoy well into the future.
Final thoughts
These are just a few of the projects from our portfolio where we have created a solution that did not yet exist. We are innovating all the time, pushing the boundaries of what glass can do. Behind the scenes is our team that employs decades of shared expertise in cutting-edge glass fabrication techniques, working together to create complex and visually stunning structures. At the moment curved glass, sustainable solutions for eco-friendly buildings and biophilic informed designs are taking centre stage.
Our ethos for all of our projects is to create something bespoke that works specifically for the space in which our glass will sit. If it does not yet exist, then we endeavour to come up with a solution that works, innovating the world of structural glazing as we go.
Other News
