Out of Reach: Tackling Supersized Rooflight Installations
Oversized glazing is becoming a staple in modern design, with homeowners and architects pushing boundaries to flood spaces with natural light. But with larger rooflights comes a challenge—safe and precise installation.
At Howells Patent Glazing, we’ve adapted to this trend by developing a crane assessment method that ensures every lift runs smoothly. From site suitability and crane specification to weather checks and LOLER-certified stillages, we consider every detail before installation day.
Whether it’s mini cranes for domestic jobs or mobile cranes for vast apertures, our 50+ years of glazing expertise ensures safety, compliance, and flawless results.
Looking to bring more light into your next project? Get in touch with our team of specialists today.
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to discuss your supersized rooflight enquiry.
City Campus: A Landmark Transformation in Gloucester
The University of Gloucestershire’s new City Campus has brought fresh life to the former Debenhams site in Kings Square. This vibrant hub combines teaching, learning, and community services within a carefully restored and modernised setting that blends heritage with innovation.
Howells Patent Glazing played a central role, supplying five bespoke rooflights and two areas of mono pitch glazing for what is one of the company’s largest and most complex projects in its 50+ year history. The installation included hip-ended, tapered ridge, and octagonal rooflights — each precision-engineered to overcome challenges of size, weight, and restricted city-centre access.
Natural light was at the heart of the architectural vision. ADP Architecture and Morgan Sindall worked closely with Howells to introduce a series of rooflights that channel daylight deep into the building’s interior, transforming circulation areas, classrooms, and social spaces into uplifting, connected environments.
Opened to the public in August 2025, City Campus now provides a future-ready home for the University’s Education, Psychology and Social Work programmes while also delivering shared community facilities. As part of Gloucester’s £200 million regeneration, it stands as a striking symbol of the city’s ambition — open, connected, and alive.