IDSystems Helps Sycamore House See The Light

Set within a quiet Cambridgeshire village, Sycamore House is a striking contemporary home that demonstrates how thoughtful architecture and carefully specified glazing systems can transform a site. 

Designed by Gary Johns Architects and built by Ley Construction, the property was conceived as a downsizing project that would allow the homeowners to remain in the village, they had lived in all their lives. Rather than move away, the clients chose to build a new home within the garden of their existing property, creating a bespoke modern dwelling in their own rear garden.

Bright, light-filled open plan home

The modern home delivers an impressive sense of openness and light through its use of vaulted ceilings, expansive glazing and carefully designed living spaces. The house centres around a series of open-plan areas where kitchen, dining and living spaces connect seamlessly together, creating a bright and welcoming environment for everyday living and entertaining. 

The pitched roof forms play a key architectural role, not only defining the building externally but also creating dramatic internal volumes that enhance the feeling of space and allow natural light to flood deep into the home.

One of the defining architectural features of the property is the use of fully glazed gables within the pitched roof structures. These striking glazed elevations were designed and manufactured using IDSystems’ curtain walling profile, enabling the architects to maximise the amount of glass while minimising the need for heavy structural steel supports. The result is an elegant façade where expansive glazing frames views of the surrounding garden and connects the interior spaces with the landscape beyond.

Edward Stobart, IDSystems Technical Sales Manager explained, “The glazed gables were both straight-forward and incredibly complex. Straight-forward because, having worked so closely with the architects during the initial specification of the project, their vision was clear, but turning that vision into a practical solution with angled fixed frame glazing was rather more complex. The expertise of the IDSystems CAD designers and technical team allowed us to minimise the volume of frame whilst ensuring the clean lines required by the planned drawings.”

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A custom combination of glazing solutions

Within these glazed gables, French doors were specified to further enhance the connection between inside and outside. Opening directly onto the patio and landscaped garden, the doors create an effortless transition from the open-plan living areas to the outdoor entertaining spaces. During warmer months the doors can be fully opened, allowing fresh air and natural light to flow through the house while reinforcing the sense of openness that defines the design.

Complementing the glazed gables, the property also incorporates aluminium windows, bifold doors and sliding doors, each designed for a specific purpose within the overall structure. The frames of the glazing are manufactured in Silk Grey (RAL 7044) finish to provide a soft, understated tone, ensuring that the glazing remains the dominant feature while maintaining a refined and contemporary appearance throughout the property.

Finishing touches make a real statement

Externally, the architectural palette combines a mixture of materials that give Sycamore House its distinctive modern character. Crisp white render and warm yellow brickwork form the primary wall finishes, while carefully detailed zinc cladding adds a contemporary contrast and defines key architectural elements of the roof structure. This considered blend of materials creates a building that feels both modern and grounded within its Cambridgeshire setting.

Internally, the home has been finished to an exceptional standard. The interior features include a hand-crafted painted kitchen that forms the heart of the open-plan living space, alongside a striking designer staircase incorporating oak treads with glass and chrome balustrading. Contemporary doors, high-quality ironmongery, stylish sanitaryware and carefully chosen flooring complete the refined interior specification, reflecting the clients’ desire to create a home that feels both elegant and comfortable.

Using carefully engineered glazing systems and thoughtful architectural design, Sycamore House demonstrates how modern curtain walling, aluminium windows and glazed gables can transform a residential project, creating a home defined by light, openness and a seamless connection to its surroundings. www.idsystems.co.uk

Image credits: Matthew Smith Architectural Photography