'It is at one with them, as if born of the very earth itself.'

"...we all believed that a solar solution was just around the corner."

I was briefly involved with an architect at Sheffield University in the early 80's running a project on a nearby allotment called SHED or 'solar heated environmental dwelling'. It was shortly after the oil crisis and we all believed that a solar solution was just around the corner. As it turned out, it wasn't and my experience at the time led to a quite disastrous building doomed from the outset.

"...surrounded with plant life and sunlight and a sense of well being."

What did stay with me, was the need to let light into our buildings and the strong link between being surrounded with plant life and sunlight and a sense of well being. Historically, window openings have been restricted, either by the structural limitations imposed by the otherwise weakening of the integrity of the main shell or by heat loss / heat gain impositions. Anyone, who has worked near a south facing expanse of glass, knows how uncomfortable it can be, even with the benefit of modern air conditioning. Conversely, how many disappointed conservatory owners discovered just how cold their newly acquired 'so called all-year-round' extension to their home could be?

"...hence the name of my company pureSilica."

Nevertheless, you will probably have guessed that I have a pre-disposition towards glass, hence the name of my company...pureSilica. Yet it cannot have escaped your attention that I have freely admitted that there are considerable problems to be overcome in the use of glass.

"I simply want the glass"

I cannot abide window frames. In stark contrast to the somewhat ubiquitous UPVC double glazing and conservatory industry that developed out of the oil crisis of the 70's, I simply want the glass, not a large chunk of white plastic or at best, some lesser relative of the greatly depleted Brazilian rain forest.

"...the demise of the western world was imminent"

It is quite perverse, that having been shaken into believing that the demise of the western world was imminent, we went on to develop an industry that replaces virtually every sustainable building component with those made solely from oil. What is more, if you do not aspire to these dire products you are perceived to be socially bankrupt. I recall vividly, a full-height, frame-less tinted-glass window, which punctured the old brickwork of an architect's office, allowing the outside sunlit stone surface to appear to run effortlessly through into the inside.

Yet once again, I digress.

"What would fulfil my dream today?"

So after over thirty years of endeavouring to achieve perfection for some of the country's most privileged clientele, what would fulfil my dream today?

"I want to feel safe and snug on a winter's evening"

The materials must be natural and by necessity limited in number. I do not want to continually maintain or even decorate my home. I want the inside space to bleed effortlessly into the exterior space, yet at the same time I want to feel safe and snug on a winter's evening. I do not want to feel as if I am on show for all to survey, I want to be private, almost invisible. I want to be able to invite the sunlight into the inner reaches of my home without overheating, or wasting copious amounts of energy to keep myself warm during the winter months.

"...as if born of the very earth itself."

The house must sit like an almost invisible transparent shimmering structure, at ease with its surroundings. It does not challenge, it is at one with them, as if born of the very earth itself.

"The glass must be near frameless and self cleaning."

The glass must be near frameless and self cleaning.

"...and close with the reassuring whisper quiet 'clunk'"

Externally the building must be void of all unnecessary ornamentation or other needless elements. No visible copings, lead flashings, gutters, fascia boards or bargeboards. Internally, no skirting boards, architraves, mouldings, door knobs, visible light switches or socket outlets. Any internal doors must fit flush with the adjoining wall surface. They must reach to the ceiling, have considerable mass and tactility and close with the reassuring whisper quiet 'clunk' of a door on a Bentley or Rolls-Royce.

"...my medieval draw bridge and portcullis to my castle."

They are my medieval draw bridge and portcullis to my castle. Not for me a paper honeycomb core with faux wood-veneered hardboard surfaces posing as a period door.

Please email Christopher to discuss your requirements

Further Reading - 'Like the curled leaves.'