Rochester Cathedral

Jun 2010

Visitors to Rochester Cathedral are now welcomed by two new stunning glass lobbies to the West and North entrances of Rochester Cathedral that provide added protection from wind and rain. The lobbies were installed by The London Glass Company to the design details prepared by Clear Structures

Built in 1080 and the second oldest Cathedral in the country, the glass lobbies had to be able to withstand the external wind pressures when the main entrance doors are open, but given the historic listing of the Norman building, there were several design restrictions that had to be overcome.

The clients were keen to minimize the visual impact of the lobbies. This was acheived by eliminating all metal framing and assembling the glass using a combination of structural sealants and glazing brackets.

The floors of the lobbies were of the original flag stones which were not suitable to receive the base fixing loads. To overcome this, the flagstones were carefully lifted and a small reinforced concrete raft foundation cast beneath. The flag stones were then replaced in their original positions.