Large Wrap-Around Glass Extension for Bazaar Restaurant, Middlesbrough

When Bazaar Restaurant began redeveloping their premises in Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough, the vision was to create a striking modern frontage that would transform the building and bring natural light deep into the restaurant interior.

Azure Outdoor Living was appointed to design, supply and install a bespoke wrap-around glass extension using the Hawaii 80 thermally broken aluminium glazing system.

The finished installation wraps around the building façade, incorporates high-level clerestory glazing, and creates a bold architectural glass frontage that has become the defining visual feature of the restaurant.

This project required extremely accurate surveying, bespoke fabrication and careful installation planning, particularly as several of the glass panels weighed up to 400 kg and the installation took place on a busy town-centre high street location.

The completed extension now forms a bright modern dining space and a landmark architectural frontage within Captain Cook Square.

A New Restaurant Launch in the North East

The glazing installation formed part of the launch of Bazaar Restaurant, a brand-new hospitality venue opening in the centre of Middlesbrough.

The restaurant was created by Tarek Thoma, a restaurateur and chef with a long career in the hospitality industry.

Before opening Bazaar, Tarek worked in Michelin-star kitchens, including the renowned London restaurant L’Escargot. He was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2021 for organising food deliveries and support for vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier in his career he also cooked for former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and former US President George W. Bush.

Bazaar was designed to be a destination dining venue in the centre of Middlesbrough, featuring dramatic interiors, botanical ceiling installations and a theatrical restaurant environment.

The building sits within Captain Cook Square, a busy retail and leisure destination with heavy pedestrian traffic.

To support the new restaurant concept, the building required a bold architectural frontage capable of attracting attention while creating a light-filled dining space inside.

Project Overview

Project: Bazaar Restaurant
Location: Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough
Architect: Niall Gallacher
System Installed: Hawaii 80 Thermally Broken Glass Extension
Structure: Aluminium framed glass extension
Finish: RAL 7016 Matt Anthracite
Application: Commercial restaurant glass extension

Key Features

• Large wrap-around glass extension
• Full-height commercial glazing frontage
• Hawaii 80 thermally broken aluminium roof system
• High-level clerestory glazing installed above the extension
• Large format structural glass panels
• 135° architectural corner transition
• Solar control laminated double glazing
• Motorised roof ventilation system
• Installation of 400 kg structural glass panel
• Specialist glazing robot used for heavy glass installation
• Complex town-centre installation logistics
• In-house CAD design and fabrication drawings

Precision Surveying and Digital Design

Before fabrication could begin, the project required a high-precision survey of the existing building.

Unlike many installations where the structure follows a straight façade, the Bazaar project involved multiple façade projections and a complex wrap-around corner, leaving almost no tolerance for measurement error.

Survey Equipment

Our team carried out the survey using professional laser measurement technology:

• Hilti rotary laser level to establish all datum levels
• Leica DISTO laser measuring system to capture accurate distances, angles and coordinates

These tools allowed us to record:

• floor levels
• roof connection points
• threshold heights
• façade projections
• corner geometry

The measurements were then transferred into CAD where the entire structure could be modelled digitally.

From Survey Data to CAD Design

Using the survey data, our in-house drafting team produced detailed CAD drawings showing the complete glazing structure.

This allowed the design to be reviewed and refined alongside the project architect before fabrication began.

Working in CAD allowed us to:

• visualise the finished extension
• ensure alignment with the building façade
• coordinate the design with the architect
• confirm structural geometry
• generate accurate fabrication drawings

Because the extension wraps around a 135° corner and follows the changing projections of the building façade, the design effectively had zero tolerance for dimensional error.

This level of preparation ensured the aluminium frame system could be fabricated and installed precisely.

The Centrepiece – A Massive Wrap-Around Glass Extension

The most striking element of the project is the large wrap-around glass extension installed at the front of the restaurant.

Rather than installing a simple straight glazed frontage, the structure follows the shape of the building around the façade.

This creates a fully glazed perimeter dining space that dramatically increases the building’s visibility within Captain Cook Square.

The extension was constructed using the Hawaii 80 thermally broken aluminium glazing system, designed for large bespoke glass structures where strength and thermal performance are essential.

A Complex 135° Glass Corner

One of the biggest technical challenges was the 135° corner transition where the building turns.

The glazing system had to be fabricated with exceptional precision so that the extension wrapped around the corner seamlessly.

Maintaining clean sightlines across the entire structure required:

• highly accurate surveying
• precise CAD modelling
• careful fabrication of aluminium profiles

The finished result is a seamless architectural corner that appears visually simple but required extensive planning and engineering.

The Building Façade Was Not Flat

The project became even more complex because the existing façade was not perfectly straight.

Across the frontage the wall moved in and out in several places, creating multiple projections along the building line.

The extension therefore had to respond to the existing geometry while maintaining a consistent visual appearance across the entire structure.

This required extremely accurate measurements and bespoke fabrication of the aluminium frame system.

High Level Clerestory Glazing

In addition to the extension itself, the project included large clerestory windows installed in the building above the glass extension roofline.

Clerestory glazing allows natural daylight to enter the building from above while maintaining uninterrupted glazing below.

For the restaurant this created a brighter and more open dining atmosphere.

From the outside it adds architectural depth and helps tie the extension visually into the existing building.

Installation of a 400 kg Structural Glass Panel

One of the most technically demanding elements of the installation was the large fixed glazed panel positioned at the side of the extension.

This single glass unit weighed approximately 400 kg.

Handling glass of this size requires specialist equipment and experienced installers.

The panel was installed using vacuum lifting technology and a specialist glazing robot, allowing the team to lift and position the glass safely with millimetre precision.

The panel now forms a clean uninterrupted glazed elevation and maximises visibility between the restaurant and the surrounding square.

Large Format Glass Installation

Several other glazing panels installed throughout the extension were also extremely large.

Large architectural glass panels are increasingly used in hospitality design because they allow designers to create minimal framing with maximum transparency.

However, installing panels of this size requires specialist equipment.

For this project the installation team used a glazing robot to position the largest units safely and accurately.

Installation on a Busy High Street

The location of the project created additional logistical challenges.

Captain Cook Square is a busy retail and leisure environment with heavy pedestrian traffic.

Because of this, all deliveries and installation activities had to be carefully coordinated.

The installation team had to manage:

• delivery scheduling
• unloading large aluminium frame sections
• safe movement of heavy glazing units
• positioning of lifting equipment
• working safely within a public environment

These logistical considerations required careful planning before installation began.

Hawaii 80 Thermally Broken Glass Extension System

The extension was constructed using the Hawaii 80 thermally broken aluminium system, designed for large bespoke glass extensions.

System advantages include:

• thermally broken aluminium profiles
• compatibility with high performance glazing
• suitability for large structural spans
• flexible architectural configurations
• elegant slim frame appearance

This system allowed the complex wrap-around structure to be fabricated while maintaining excellent thermal performance.

Roof Structure and Glazing

The extension includes a large glazed roof structure with integrated ventilation.

Approximate roof size

12,350 mm × 17,570 mm

Roof glass specification

SKN175 solar control glass
4 mm toughened outer pane
20 mm argon filled cavity
warm edge spacer
6.4 mm laminated inner pane

The roof also includes:

• four motorised roof vents
• 24 V actuator system
• integrated transformer

These vents allow natural ventilation and help regulate temperature inside the extension.

Vertical Glazing Specification

Vertical glazing elements were constructed using aluminium framed glazing systems with laminated double glazing.

Glass specification

6 mm toughened outer pane
20 mm argon filled cavity
6.8 mm laminated inner pane

This provides improved thermal performance, solar control and safety.

Commercial aluminium entrance doors were also installed with high security locking systems and panic bar hardware where required.

Fabrication and Factory Preparation

Due to the complexity of the structure, the aluminium framework was fabricated in sections before delivery to site.

Factory preparation allowed the team to confirm:

• frame geometry
• connection details
• structural alignment
• glazing tolerances

This ensured installation could proceed efficiently once materials arrived on site.

Installation Process

The installation was completed in several stages.

Frame Installation

The aluminium structure was installed first to establish the geometry of the extension.

Structural Alignment

Particular attention was given to the 135° corner transition and varying façade projections.

Glass Installation

Large glazing panels were installed using the glazing robot.

Final Detailing

Seals, trims and finishing elements were installed to create a clean architectural finish.

The Finished Result

The completed extension dramatically transforms the appearance of Bazaar Restaurant.

Externally the building now features:

• a striking wrap-around glass façade
• sleek anthracite aluminium framing
• a modern architectural frontage
• improved visibility within Captain Cook Square

Internally the glazing creates:

• a brighter dining environment
• increased natural daylight
• stronger connection with the surrounding square
• a premium hospitality atmosphere

The wrap-around extension has become the defining architectural feature of the entire building.

Project Lead Statement

“The wrap-around extension was one of the most technically challenging projects we’ve delivered. The structure had to follow the building around a 135 degree corner while also dealing with multiple façade projections. Our survey work had to be extremely accurate before fabrication began. Once on site we were installing glass panels weighing up to 400 kg on a busy high street, so planning and specialist equipment were essential. The finished extension completely transforms the building and we’re incredibly proud of the result.”

Dave Mudd
Project Lead – Azure Outdoor Living