Architectural Glazing for Juergen Teller’s West London Studio
Key takeaways:
- Gowercroft collaborated with 6a Architects on a highly detailed window and door package for photographer Juergen Teller’s studio
- We supplied lift and slide doors, casements, French doors, internal screens, shutters and a bespoke letterbox
- All products were designed with ultra-slim sections and a semi-transparent finish to match the raw concrete aesthetic
- Accoya was used throughout for its stability, durability and workability at fine tolerances
- The project won multiple RIBA awards and was shortlisted for the 2017 Stirling Prize
What made this architectural glazing project so complex?
Gowercroft was approached by 6a Architects to deliver a package of custom-designed timber windows and doors for a unique new build in West London. The project was the new photography studio, office and archive of renowned photographer Juergen Teller.
The building spans a narrow 60m x 8m site and is arranged as three exposed concrete pavilions, interspersed with walled gardens. To maintain the clarity and calmness of the space, the architectural glazing had to be minimal, elegant and quietly high-performing.
Our scope of works included:
- Lift and slide doors
- Flush casement windows
- French doors and single doors
- Internal screens and cupboards
- Soffit and shutter detailing
- A custom timber letterbox
All items were fully bespoke and built from Accoya with matching finishes.
How did Gowercroft balance aesthetics and performance?
The architectural intent was uncompromising. Glazing elements needed to admit as much light as possible, offer excellent thermal performance, and remain visually recessive within the minimalist structure. But they also had to meet strict airtightness and durability requirements.
Key challenges included:
- Ultra-slim sightlines
- High-spec triple glazing with specific light hues for photography
- Flush detailing internally and externally
- Hidden ventilation and blind integration
- Finishes that enhanced, not masked, the timber grain
In a professional photography environment, the quality of daylight is as important as the quantity. Teller needed glazing that not only let in soft, even light but also maintained colour consistency across shoots. We selected Guardian triple glazing for its ability to deliver the right thermal performance while also controlling glare and colour distortion. This ensured that light entering the studio supported the client’s photographic needs without compromising the building’s energy strategy or minimalist detailing.
We undertook extensive prototyping to refine the section sizes, glazing configurations and finish options until they met the combined expectations of the architect, client and conservation consultant.
What detailing made the timber windows and doors unique?
We re-engineered our standard lift and slide doors to reduce section sizes without compromising strength. Combination frames were used throughout, requiring tight alignment between products of different functions.
Other design features included:
- Flush frames and sashes, with plant-on bead mouldings to add visual depth
- Semi-transparent finishes in grey externally and white internally, highlighting the Accoya grain
- Matching soffits, shutters and linings to conceal smoke vents, blinds and automation systems
- French and single doors that maintained consistent lines across elevations
These bespoke details allowed the joinery to quietly echo the visual rhythm of the concrete structure without drawing attention to themselves.
How did the design account for narrow site access?
This was not a project where elements could simply be lifted into place. The building had extremely narrow access. There was no rear entry and no large equipment access. All materials had to go through a standard-sized domestic doorway.
As a result, the glazing and joinery had to be designed with this in mind. We re-engineered several of the larger items to be delivered in sections. These were then assembled on site with precise joinery tolerances to ensure a seamless final result.
Every component had to be designed not just for performance and appearance, but for its journey through tight staircases and narrow doorways. The constraints of the site were built into the design from the very beginning.
Why was Accoya selected for this project?
Accoya was the natural choice due to its:
- Dimensional stability — critical for slim section glazing
- Long lifespan and low maintenance
- Visual consistency across large installations
- Compatibility with semi-transparent coatings
Working with ISF Coatings Ltd, we created a finish that exposed the natural beauty of Accoya while still meeting UV resistance requirements. Despite fewer blockers than an opaque finish, we were able to offer a full coating guarantee.
What recognition did this window design project receive?
This studio has received extensive industry and media recognition. It won:
- RIBA National Building of the Year
- RIBA London Building of the Year
- RIBA London Award
- It was also shortlisted for the 2017 Stirling Prize
Our window and door package was shortlisted for the 2016 BWF Technical Award, recognising the level of detail and innovation throughout.
Where has the project been published?
Since its completion, the Juergen Teller studio has attracted critical attention from across the architecture and design world. Its clarity of concept and refined detailing have been widely praised in both national press and industry media.
Notable features include:
- A full review in The Guardian, highlighting the studio’s elemental composition and raw materiality
- A detailed breakdown in the Architects’ Journal Buildings Library, showcasing elevations, sections and plan drawings
- A conceptual analysis in the Architectural Review, exploring its role as a space that blurs art, work and life
- A visual spotlight via BBC Arts, as part of the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist
- Additional trade coverage from titles including ABC&D Magazine, Connect East Midlands, and ADF
This cross-sector recognition reinforces the project’s success not only as a working studio, but as a studied example of collaborative, low-intervention design.
Juergen Teller Window Design Gallery
And yes, there was a donkey
We don’t usually mention livestock in architectural glazing case studies. But let’s just say the project involved more than airtight detailing.
To find out what a donkey has to do with award-winning joinery, you can read the full story here.
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