Glass Links: Connecting Old and New with Transparency
A glass link is a fully glazed corridor or passage connecting two separate structures — typically an existing historic building and a new extension or outbuilding. It is one of the most architecturally sensitive and planning-friendly approaches to extending heritage properties, because the transparent glass link creates a clear physical connection while maintaining a visible separation between old and new fabric.
Conservation officers and heritage bodies such as Historic England actively encourage glass link designs. The fully transparent structure allows the original building's character and detailing to remain visible and legible, while the contemporary glass construction makes no attempt to mimic or compete with the historic architecture. This honest approach to old-meets-new is now the accepted best practice for extending listed buildings, properties in conservation areas and historic estates across Surrey and the South East.
Our glass link structures use structural silicone bonding, minimal aluminium framing and high-performance double or triple glazed units to create lightweight, weathertight connections that require minimal intervention in the existing building fabric. Every glass link is a bespoke, architect-specified project — we produce AutoCAD detailed drawings and work closely with your architect, planning consultant and conservation officer to ensure the design meets all requirements.
- Structural silicone bonded frameless glass panels
- Minimal aluminium framing for structural transparency
- Double or triple glazed for habitable comfort (from 1.0 W/m²K)
- Minimal intervention in existing building fabric
- Suitable for listed buildings and conservation areas
- Glass roof with integrated drainage
- Full AutoCAD drawings and conservation area experience
Glass links are particularly valued in Surrey's historic market towns — Farnham, Guildford, Dorking, Reigate — where many properties sit within conservation areas or are individually listed. We also install glass links across London and the South East for projects ranging from residential garden connections to commercial building links in heritage settings.
Planning and Conservation Considerations
For listed buildings, a glass link extension requires listed building consent (LBC) in addition to planning permission. Both applications can typically be submitted simultaneously, and we recommend engaging with your local planning authority at pre-application stage to establish the principle of a glass link before committing to detailed design work.
Within conservation areas, a glass link must respect the special architectural and historic character that led to the area's designation. Conservation officers may request adjustments to the link's position, scale, proportions or glazing specification to ensure it sits comfortably within its context. The inherent transparency of a glass link — and its clearly contemporary character — generally makes it more acceptable than solid-walled alternatives.
We have experience working within conservation area requirements and can advise on the appropriate design approach during your initial consultation. Where required, we can recommend heritage architects and planning consultants who specialise in listed building and conservation area applications.
