Winter garden Hayek, Steyr

This private extension is a particularly successful example of integrating a winter garden to an existing building. This all-glass wintergarden stands without any wood or steel sub-frame. The whole envelope is supported by glass beams and is structurally stable. The glass connections are achieved in part by using a completely new bonding technique.

The winter garden proves to be an excellent heat-buffer in cold weather and as such can be seen as a fully useful living space. The use of CLIMATOP insulated glass with a U-value of 0,6 W/m².K creates a comfortable climate and harvests solar energy as an addition to the under-floor heating. The owner decided against the use of shading devices since the adjoining garden is used a living space in the summer months. Large doors facilitate sufficient cross-ventilation.

(Photos: Hayek)