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:
All items were fully bespoke and built from Accoya with matching finishes.
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:
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.
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:
These bespoke details allowed the joinery to quietly echo the visual rhythm of the concrete structure without drawing attention to themselves.
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.
Accoya was the natural choice due to its:
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.
This studio has received extensive industry and media recognition. It won:
Our window and door package was shortlisted for the 2016 BWF Technical Award, recognising the level of detail and innovation throughout.
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:
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.
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.
Contact us to discuss tailored solutions.