Sea Breeze

Located in Herne Bay this coastal residence is conceived as a precise architectural response to light, horizon, and exposure. The design seeks to minimise visual barriers, allowing uninterrupted engagement with the seascape while maintaining a controlled and resilient building envelope.

In collaboration with Blink Architecture and constructed by LDG Contracts, the glazing strategy by Fluid Glass is fundamental to the architectural outcome. The coastal setting demanded a careful balance between expansive glazing and long-term durability under saline and high-wind conditions.

The primary façade is defined by a 3.5m wide Fluid X two-track sliding door system, comprising two large-format sliding panels. This opening establishes a direct and uninterrupted connection to the exterior, framing expansive coastal views while maintaining a minimal visual profile.

Colour-matched aluminium cills provide continuity across the threshold, reinforcing the coherence of the material palette while supporting performance requirements.

Above the sliding system, a 3.5m x 1.5m high triangular pane of frameless structural glass resolves the junction between wall and roof geometry.

This shaped element removes the need for intermediary framing, allowing the elevation to read as a singular glazed plane. The detailing ensures visual continuity while maintaining the structural integrity of the façade.

The up-and-over glazing establishes a continuous transition from vertical façade to roof plane.

A 2.5m high vertical frameless structural glass pane is silicone jointed and connected directly to the roof glazing via a glass-to-glass interface. This extends into a 2m x 1.8m frameless structural glass rooflight above.

The system maximises daylight penetration while preserving a clean, uninterrupted architectural language, while also providing elevated views of both the sea and sky from within the space. Its execution required precise coordination and validation through finite element analysis to ensure structural performance across exposed conditions.

A 3m wide fixed casement window provides a more controlled aperture within the composition.

Formed as a single pane, it introduces a horizontal counterpoint to the larger glazed elements, framing selected views while maintaining consistency in finish and detailing with the wider façade. Positioned within the kitchen, it provides a deliberate and framed view outward, connecting the everyday interior experience with the surrounding coastal landscape.

The completed project demonstrates a disciplined integration of architecture, engineering, and material performance. The extensive use of frameless and large-format glazing allows the building to recede visually, placing emphasis on landscape and light.

At the same time, the specification of marine-grade finishes, high-performance coatings, and engineered tolerances ensures the building remains robust within its coastal environment.

The result is an architecture that is both minimal and highly resolved, where transparency is carefully controlled and the boundary between interior and exterior is deliberately softened.