Structural Glass
Fluid Structures are specialist designers for glass structures
Fluid structures are at the forefront of the development of Structural glass as an engineering material. We have been involved in the design of innumerable glass structures ranging from buildings to bridges, glass staircases to unique all glass roof systems.
We have acted as glass engineers in a variety of capacities, often working with an Architect to develop the building form and integrate the design. We also act as specialist designers for structural glass contractors and have carried out design work for many of the leading companies, Armfields, Firmans, Metal UK etc.
To see full examples of all our work, view our online portfolio.
The practice has many years of experience dealing with structural glass as a unique building material.
We often specify toughened and heat soaked glass as the sizes available have increased dramatically in the last few years with larger toughening ovens being commissioned. Toughened structural glass can be both bolted and laminated and this provides a greater design freedom then the use of annealed float glass.
The company has recently designed a spiral glass staircase with a central post tensioned glass column. By tensioning the column the glass discs (from which the central post is made up) are kept permanently in compression and this allows them to support the structural glass treads.
Another recent innovation was the design of a small structural glass extension to an existing building. The roof of the structure was supported on toughened glass beams and these were connected directly to the perimeter laminated glass walls by means of a stainless steel bracket. This solution avoided the need for structural glass fins and therefore allowed greater internal space without the disruption of structural glass fins.
Fluid Structures are also specialist designers for Timber Engineering
To see full examples of all our work, view our online portfolio.