A partnership between glass processor Glassolutions and Specialist Glass Products (SGP) has seen the successful renovation of a Hertfordshire water tower into a stunning four-bedroom home.
Constructed in 1964, Tonwell Water Tower was built to provide the village and the neighbouring Salcombe estate with clean water at constant pressure. It was bought for conversion in 2020 by the Grey family after falling into disuse over time.
The tower has now been transformed into a 160sqm, four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with a combined living, kitchen, dining space that uses glass partitions to optimise the space and light. Tonwell Tower has a 360° exposure to the countryside around it and the goal for the renovation was to keep that connection to the surrounds through light and the views.
Glassolutions supplied its innovative VISIOSUN patterned glass for use throughout the interior of the property, providing partitions and privacy, whilst showcasing the listed building’s retro style and incredible vistas.
VISIOSUN, which prioritises natural light whilst maintaining privacy and durability, was then further processed by SGP, which toughened each panel to ensure safety and durability while maintaining a 2mm tolerance across dimensions. SGP also finished edges and delivered the glass to the logistically challenging site.
VISIOSUN’s directional pattern can be used in either vertical and horizontal orientation, giving specifiers and installers the freedom to play with light and texture.
Matt Grey, Tonwell’s owner, says “As a first-time glass specifier, I leaned heavily on both teams to get it right. It wasn’t just a case of cutting rectangles – the dimensions were specific to the steel frames we’d already commissioned, and included things like complex hinge cut-outs, so there was no margin for error.
“Glassolutions’ early involvement in the process ensured those tolerances were respected from the outset. Their team expertly cut the glass panels to match the bespoke steel framework, then handed the material to SGP for further processing. SGP’s role was just as critical: each panel was toughened to ensure safety and durability, while maintaining tolerance across dimensions – vital for a seamless on-site installation. With VISIOSUN, you get that connection to the environment, as well as privacy. It’s beautiful, tactile, and does exactly what we need.
“Above all, Glassolutions and SGP were endlessly patient with me. Their service was second-to-none and the technical advice I was given with regards to VISIOSUN’s application and installation allowed me to safely handle and install the glass myself.”
Lindsey Fallon, Head of Sales at SGP adds “From first contact to delivery, we turned the order around in about three weeks. That kind of timeline is only possible when there’s trust and clear communication across the supply chain.
“We have a great partnership with Glassolutions – our ability to work closely together allows us to utilise our skillsets to create the highest quality products for the customer. We have undertaken projects laminating and curving VISIOSUN to go into bespoke partitions, as well as creating bespoke IGUs with VISIOSUN as the inner pane.”
Jenni Young, Glassolutions Saint-Gobain Market Manager, says “VISIOSUN is incredibly adaptable, and Its design lends itself to a variety of premium residential and commercial applications, from shower screens to glass partitions.
“That flexibility makes it ideal for projects like Tonwell Tower, where every element of the project had to be both highly functional and stylish. The VISIOSUN glass partitions contribute subtly but significantly to the experience, allowing bathrooms to feel private without feeling enclosed, and helping to maintain the tower’s central design principle: a home bathed in sky and sun.”
The success of the Tonwell Tower project showcases what can be achieved when glass suppliers collaborate closely, sharing technical knowledge, production expertise and a shared commitment to architectural integrity.
