Fixed Lantern Rooflight Installed In Live Sedum Roof To Enhance Grade II Listed Property

An elongated pyramid rooflight by Glazing Vision was essential in bringing daylight and enhancing visual interest in this Grade 2 listed Norfolk dwelling. Further modifications were added to a recent remodel resulting in a bright, airy and open planned home which benefits from an abundance of natural daylight and a live sedum roof.

Atelier Associates, in collaboration with RGR Developments, were tasked with transforming the ground floor, which included a dated 1950’s style kitchen extension, into an open kitchen and dining area as well as a bedroom with ensuite. However, as open-plan layouts have evolved, many homeowners have come to appreciate the merits of separation and zoning in interior design. “We sought to use the fixed lantern roof light as an implied division between the dining and the kitchen,” remarks Stephen Sharp of Atelier Associates. By doing this, the architectural designers have maintained a sense of openness while still providing a distinct visual indication of each area’s intended use.

The lighting created for this open plan kitchen diner shows how a well-planned daylighting scheme can be used to break up a room and direct one’s eye towards notable features, such as the large bi-folding doors. All of these considerations create a dwelling that, essentially, borrows light, air and space from the outside – providing a sense of continuity between the home and greenery in the surrounding area. 

Norton House’s connection to nature is strengthened by the installation of a live sedum roof. Cultivating live vegetation directly on the roof may be counterintuitive to some but the inclusion of a living roof has numerous technical advantages. Research indicates that green rooftops significantly increase the lifespan of protective membranes by protecting them from ultraviolet rays, potentially weatherproofing the landscaped area for the design lifespan of the building itself. Living roofs are also noted for their acoustic properties, protecting the interior from outside noise pollution. It can also be seen as an eco-roof in that it reduces a building’s carbon footprint and energy costs, offering fantastic insulation in the winter months whilst lowering temperatures in the summer. Incorporating a rooflight within a green roof is relatively clear-cut. Moisture retention is combated by including an EPDM membrane in the installation process, thus preventing water ingress. Specifying the right types of glass also preserves other green roof advantages such as thermal performance and UV protection.   

The elongated pyramid rooflight comprises of four double-glazed facets at a 45° angle, with minimal silicone seals providing excellent light transmission. The 32.8mm glazed sections, which are composed of 6mm heatsoak tested outer panes, 18mm argon cavities and 8.8mm annealed low-emissivity inner panes are placed within a thermally broken framework. Glazing Vision Secure and Secure+ rooflights are Building Regulations Approved Document Q compliant, tested to LPS2081 Issue 1: 2015, certificated by the Loss Prevention Certification Board and approved Secured by Design.

Renovating this Grade II listed building – designated so to preserve its Gothic arched casements – required meticulous planning and sensitivity to its heritage. Gothic architecture in popular culture is typically associated with the macabre. However, the Gothic style has been centred around the increased admission of natural light since the days of Suger. So the inclusion of rooflights in listed buildings such as this can be more straight forward than initially thought.  The elongated lantern is an appropriate fit alongside original features and more recent modifications alike, giving us an end result that harmonises older elements with contemporary additions.

The aesthetic features of the lantern rooflights are equally matched by a number of discrete technical advantages. The minimal glass-to-glass design only requires a frame at the base, which is also out of view when in situ. This provides the user with a frameless pyramid skylight that floods the interior with the most daylight possible. Stephen Sharp of Atelier Associates Architecture also points out that “The increased pitch of glass lantern rooflights allows them to stay cleaner for longer, whereas a flatter mono-pitch unit would require more maintenance.”

One could take this advantage further still by including an Enduroshield coating – an optional glass treatment available for all Glazing Vision rooflights and roof windows. This adds a hydrophobic layer to the glazed section of the rooflight, reducing rooflight maintenance by as much as 90%, making it an invaluable addition to all types of rooflight. These factors combine to increase the durability and service life of the product, in keeping with its green roof setting.

Stephen Sharp of Atelier Associates commented that “The lantern looks great and works exactly as we anticipated.” 

Projects like Norton House showcase the versatility of Glazing Vision’s rooflights which can complement a wide range of environments, styles and settings. You can learn more about our square and elongated pyramid range by visiting our product page.