Pilkington Optiwhite™ has been specified in a breathtaking residential extension in Chelsea. Installed in a bespoke staircase, complete with a colour-changing LED lighting system, the glass provides a seamless transition between the house levels. Pilkington Optiwhite™ was also installed across the property in walls, windows and balustrades.
The new crystalline structural glass staircase floods daylight into the different levels creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. AROS Architects suggested a unique lighting system incorporating Pilkington Optiwhite™ - a low iron glass which offers greater clarity than standard glass. The glass fixtures are lit by bulbs embedded in the wall, shining blue and purple light along the middle of the glass and illuminating the whole room.
Pilkington Optiwhite™ also features in the balustrades and structural stringers, suspended from slender steel rods as well as the new external wall and roof. These modern design fixtures complement the existing structure to provide a unified style both inside and outside.
Mark Limbrick of AROS Architects added: “Projects such as the Chelsea Town House enable the team at AROS to be really imaginative. The stair extension was a logical one and it offered us the chance to channel daylight down to new spaces excavated below ground level. It was a real challenge to create a light and comfortable space. By installing Pilkington Optiwhite™ we were able to construct a delicate-looking staircase, making it a lantern in the room and creating an overall sense of openness.”
Peter Cordell, F.A. Firman, said: “We were very excited about taking part in such an interesting project. The finished property is absolutely breathtaking with a completely unique look.”
Pilkington Optiwhite™, when toughened, is up to five times stronger than ordinary glass of the same thickness, allowing architects and builders far greater scope in their use of glass in buildings. It meets international standards for thermally treated safety glass, making it a good choice for use in applications in which it may be subjected to accidental human impact.