DESIGN CASE STUDY: Custom ACCESS Hatch

The client had an inner city townhouse that had a requirement for a custom roof hatch 3500mm x 800mm to access a roof top alfresco area. The project also called for a trafficable glass component to the hatch lid, to allow guests to walk across the hatch while closed, and also to illuminate the study below with natural light. 

Consideration needed to be given to the thermal performance, and the trafficability, of the glazing; to ensure the hatch would function as both a safe and sturdy extension of the alfresco area, and also as an energy effective skylight option for the study. 

The hatch was also required to function as a motorized opening window to allow for natural ventilation in the interior living space. As a result there would be a requirement to design a motorized actuator which would limit the opening capabilities of the hatch in normal operation; but could also be simply and easily converted to a manually operated, fully articulated roof hatch when required. 

The requirement for heavy duty trafficable glass would also add considerable weight to the finished unit. The need for the client to be able to manually open the hatch to allow egress to the roof top would require the design of a custom opening mechanism which would include a series of gas powered struts to facilitate both the manual opening and closing of the hatch. This would mean that the client wouldn’t have to manually bear the full weight of the hatch during operation.

The external flashings would also need to be customized to allow for the installation of the unit to a custom purpose built parapet at the site.

The final installation is a sturdy, functional, and visually appealing architectural feature, which adds considerable value to the home by increasing the usable entertaining area by more than double; and provides the homeowners with an abundance of natural light and air flow.