Bellwether has completed sever point supported glass bridge projects over the years. Two interesting projects both had the same basic objective, connect two living structures and create one larger residence.
Oyster House Glass Bridge
The architectural design objective for Oyster House was to connect the two halves of this new home with a glass bridge, with as much transparency as possible. Bellwether designed and engineered the bridge to be point supported from a metal structural frame for maximum transparency. We engineered the glass to be hurricane-resistant, and we designed custom fitting anchors. We also designed the bridge to accommodate differential movements between the two halves of the home.
The Oyster House bridge provides a light, airy connection between the two parts of the home, providing a unique walkway that maximizes bay views, while blending traditional and contemporary design. This point supported glass bridge highlights the innovative use of custom glazing in residential applications.
Potomac River Project:
The architect and general contractor approached Bellwether to design and fabricate their residential point supported glass bridge. Point supported walls, roof, glass soffit below the bridge are all anchored to a custom steel frame.
The bridge connects two homes, effectively making them into one living space. The design intent was to create a transparent walkway that allowed for open views of the Potomac river, as well as the lush landscape on the property.
Bellwether provided design assistance from the earliest point in the project, to meet requirements for energy efficiency, aesthetic design, structural considerations, and differential movements between the two separate structures.
A high level of cooperation between Bellwether, the architectural firm, and the entire construction team was required for the design-build. The completed bridge is a signature design element in this stunning residence.