Bradley.Basso: suspended canopy function and architectural integration

Architectural integration and function

Suspended canopy, Architectural glass design

Residential project, North Elham, Canterbury UK

The design of this challenging structure has been conceived to meet functional issues and in response to its specific architectural context.

This 18.5 m² suspended canopy shelters the main entrance door to the rear elevation, as well as covering part of the driveway to the house, protecting peoples’ movement in and out of the house during all weather conditions.

The house plan radiates on a curving axis, relating to and acknowledging its hillside setting, with a 180° idyllic landscape view from the front elevation. The canopy structure and design consequently traces the curving axis of the architecture, emphasizing its radius.

Canopy view

Main entrance canopy to Kent residence

Viewed from below the 24 mm toughened, laminated and suspended float glass panels appear almost as a floating surface. A warm coloured geometric carpet that shimmers and projects its design to the surfaces below during morning sunlight. Visual depth and change is achieved through the division of the design onto the different surfaces of the glass lamination. Kiln fired opalescent white and translucent gold enamels applied to the top and interlayer surfaces respectively, with ruby cathedral glass squares laminated to the under surface emphasize the parallax effect.

The design is concentrated at the house and erodes gradually towards clear glass at the opposite side. The canopy glass and framework has been structurally designed and computer tested to translate the vision of the floating glass concept.Due to its hillside and geographical position there were considerable climatic conditions to accommodate in the glass properties and the use of articulated bolts to the stainless steel spiders allows for the flexing movement caused by wind pressure, suction and snow loadings.