At Hotel Riviera’s spa and conference facility, the aim was an outdoor environment that exudes calm and quality. To preserve the open feel and frame the facility without interrupting the view, the frameless glass balustrade Vista was chosen – our purest design solution, where the glass is the focus.
What was included in the project?
The project included approximately 70 metres of glass balustrade, which frames the facility’s outdoor environment.
- Type of project
- Spa and conference centre.
- Model
- Vista, a frameless glass balustrade with top mounting.
- Glass
- Toughened and laminated safety glass.
- Details
- Aluminium top rail for a neat, finished edge.
Why is a frameless glass balustrade a good fit for a spa and conference facility?
A frameless balustrade is a natural choice when the architecture calls for an uninterrupted view. With no posts to break the sightline, the glass balustrade gives a sense of simply being there without taking up space. It creates a modern frame for a facility where the guest experience is at the centre.
The unbroken glass surface lets light into the spa area, while the railing helps block the wind. In this project, the glass was installed on top of the substrate, creating a clear yet discreet boundary with the surrounding area.
What type of glass suits a frameless balustrade in a public environment?
In a public setting such as a hotel, there are high demands on strength, so the thickness and quality of the glass must be adapted to the location. Vista was supplied with toughened and laminated safety glass, which consists of toughened glass panels joined together with a tough plastic film.
Stronger than regular glass
Toughening makes the glass more resistant than ordinary glass, which is important in a frameless balustrade where the glass itself is load-bearing.
Holds together if it breaks
The plastic film between the panes holds the glass together as a single unit if it were to break.
The thickness of the glass is tailored to the conditions at the location, such as load, wind, and the number of people present. See the product page for current specifications.
Which top rail and which mounting option are compatible with Vista?
The aluminium top rail gives the balustrade a clean finish and protects the top edge of the glass. It also ties the balustrade’s 70 metres together into one continuous visual line. Depending on the substrate and the look you want, there are three ways to fix Vista.
- Point fixings
- Round stainless steel point fixings that secure the glass to the outside face of the substrate.
- Floor fixings
- Small aluminium brackets that hold the glass either against the outside face or on top of the substrate.
- Aluminium base channel
- A continuous base channel running the full length of the floor. It was used in this project and gives a linear look that suits large areas. The channel can be fixed on top of the floor or recessed so that it is almost invisible.
What should you consider regarding safety and balustrade height in public spaces?
At a spa facility where there may be changes in level, the height and design of the balustrade need to be planned to suit the site. The frameless construction means the balustrade can be designed for its purpose without feeling heavy or enclosed.
A balustrade that lifts the overall impression of the facility
The project demonstrates how the right choice of materials can combine clear boundaries with an exclusive design that enhances the overall look of the facility. The frameless glass balustrade Vista keeps the view and the surroundings front and centre.
