Maria Elia’s Supper Club – Bespoke Steel Look Aluminium Doors & Windows Installation

At Azure Outdoor Living, we specialise in delivering high-end bespoke architectural glazing installations for residential and commercial projects across the UK.

This project involved the design, manufacture and installation of large-format steel look aluminium doors and windows for an exceptional hospitality venue now known as Maria Elia’s Supper Club, created by renowned British chef and restaurateur Maria Elia.

The brief was to transform the building into a light-filled, architecturally impressive dining space, capable of hosting exclusive culinary events while preserving the building’s rustic character.

The finished result is a striking double-height steel look aluminium glazed façade, flooding the interior with natural light and creating a spectacular setting for Maria’s renowned dining experiences.

Working with Celebrity Chef Maria Elia

One of the most exciting aspects of this project was the opportunity to collaborate with celebrity chef Maria Elia, whose culinary career has earned her national recognition.

Maria became widely known to UK audiences through her appearances on the iconic BBC cooking competition Ready Steady Cook, where she became a familiar face to millions of viewers.

Throughout her career she has worked in some of the UK’s most respected kitchens and has established herself as one of Britain’s most respected chefs, known for her vibrant Mediterranean-inspired cooking style.

She is also a respected cookbook author and food writer, sharing her passion for seasonal ingredients and bold flavours.

Today she hosts exclusive dining events through her Supper Club, bringing guests together for intimate culinary experiences in a carefully designed venue.

Naturally, the venue itself needed to reflect the same level of craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail that defines her cooking.

That is where Azure Outdoor Living’s bespoke architectural glazing expertise played a key role.

Project Overview

The project required the installation of two large glazed elevations, each featuring:

• floor-to-ceiling steel look aluminium glazing
• integrated opening aluminium doors
• fixed top-light glazing panels above

The glazing needed to achieve several key goals:

• maximise natural light throughout the interior
• create a dramatic architectural focal point
• provide easy access to the outdoor space
• replicate the aesthetic of traditional steel industrial windows

To achieve this, we specified the Aluco Steel Look Aluminium glazing system, one of the UK’s most respected premium aluminium glazing systems.

The result is a beautifully balanced interior that combines modern architectural glazing with rustic barn-style character.

Precision Laser Survey & Architectural Design

At Azure Outdoor Living, every successful glazing installation begins with an extremely accurate survey.

For this project we used the latest Leica Disto plotting laser and Hilti rotary laser equipment to accurately determine:

• opening widths
• structural heights
• finished floor levels

This level of accuracy is essential when installing large aluminium glazing systems, particularly where thresholds must be installed as flush as possible with the finished floor level to ensure accessibility and a seamless indoor-outdoor transition.

Once the survey was completed, all measurements were transferred into AutoCAD, where our in-house draftsman produced a full architectural drawing package for the project.

This process ensures:

• the client clearly understands the design
• manufacturers receive precise fabrication drawings
• the installation team can achieve a perfect fit on site

Our survey and design process is significantly more advanced than many glazing companies, which allows us to deliver exceptional results on complex architectural glazing projects.

Structural Engineering & Design Solution

Due to the height of the large glazed screens, additional structural support was required.

A structural steel beam was installed across the opening to support the glazing system.

To maintain the elegant aesthetic of the steel look aluminium glazing, the beam was carefully positioned between the full-height doors and the upper top-light glazing panels.

This allowed the structure to remain visually hidden within the glazing design.

Azure Outdoor Living then fabricated custom aluminium flashings, powder coated in RAL 9005 Matt Black to match the aluminium glazing frames.

These flashings concealed the structural steel and ensured the entire installation appears as one seamless integrated glazing system.

Steel Look Aluminium Glazing Specification

The glazing system installed was the Aluco Steel Look Aluminium system, chosen for its ability to replicate traditional steel windows while offering modern performance.

System Details

Glazing System: Aluco Steel Look Aluminium
Colour: RAL 9005 Matt Black
Finish: Architectural powder coated finish
Frame Profile: 47mm x 33mm outer frame
Configuration: Large glazed screens with integrated doors
Top Lights: Fixed steel look aluminium glazing panels
Drainage: Face drained frame system

The glazing layout was designed to replicate the classic steel window grid pattern, creating a timeless architectural feature.

Installation Process

Following manufacture, our experienced installation team carried out the full installation process.

Key stages included:

• installation of structural steel support
• aluminium frame installation
• glazing unit installation and alignment
• fabrication and installation of bespoke aluminium flashings
• final finishing works

Thanks to the precise survey and AutoCAD design work, the glazing systems fitted perfectly into the prepared openings.

The Finished Result

The completed glazing installation has transformed the building into a spectacular dining venue.

The double-height steel look aluminium glazing floods the interior with natural light, creating an inviting and visually striking environment.

Inside the venue, the glazing complements the architectural features including:

• exposed timber beams
• vaulted ceilings
• skylights
• contemporary industrial lighting

Externally, the RAL 9005 matt black aluminium frames contrast beautifully with the building’s cladding, creating a bold and modern façade.

The space now provides an exceptional setting for exclusive supper club events, private dining and culinary experiences.

Project Lead Commentary

“This was a fantastic project for our team to deliver. The scale of the glazing and the height of the openings meant precision surveying and design were absolutely essential. By combining advanced laser surveying technology with detailed AutoCAD design work, we were able to deliver a glazing system that fits perfectly and looks stunning.”
— Kevin Eldred, Project Lead – Azure Outdoor Living