The sky’s the limit: Sky-Frame

The sky’s the limit. Sky-Frame system in stunning rooftop bar

After a few years of uncertainty, going out is back in. In the shadows of Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street is once again bustling with people shopping and socialising. At 145 Princes Street, the Johnnie Walker Visitor Experience has already welcomed over a year’s worth of visitors through its doors, with many a glass of the famous Scotch whisky raised in that time.

Gray & Dick worked on the multi-million pound, eight storey visitor experience. We provided our award-winning engineering expertise to the creation of the building’s exquisite 1820 Rooftop Bar.

A rooftop destination
The 1820 Rooftop Bar is a must-visit destination within the pioneering attraction. The design aim for the bar was to create a clean, contemporary aesthetic with a timeless appeal, to complement the Johnnie Walker brand itself. A bar where expertly crafted cocktails and locally sourced cuisine could be enjoyed alongside stunning views of Edinburgh Castle. Gray & Dick designed the Rimex metal cladding that covers the roofline, external walls and pillars. We also supplied and installed the Sky-Frame door through which visitors could view or step out into the Edinburgh skyline.

As a quality solution for any project, Sky-Frame windows and sliding doors are regularly used in large-scale commercial projects to great effect. For this project, it was important to find a solution that fitted with the contemporary design aesthetic and would both frame and be the gateway to the exterior of the rooftop terrace and the views beyond of historic Edinburgh.

          

Sky-Frame was the obvious solution as it represents the ultimate in glazing innovation, design and technology. Sky-Frame sliding doors contain a hidden transition between the inside and the outside that is flush-fitted with the floor, allowing the glass to glide along the narrow gap. The space between the tracks is covered by the same flooring as th interior, reinforcing the feeling of a free-flowing transition between the inside and outside, ideal for visitors stepping from the 1820 bar interior to exterior terrace.  

Sky-Frame technology is 100% Swiss-made, and an example of how precise engineering can enhance design elements in commercial or residential buildings. As the experience economy continues to grow, Sky-Frame doors and windows will continue to provide the perfect glazed architectural solution for rooftop bars and restaurants.

Our services
Gray & Dick is the market leader in the design, supply, and installation of high-end structural glazing with proven expertise in heritage projects. With more than 40 years’ experience, we partner with the best brands to deliver a long-lasting product that will transform commercial properties. Grey & Dick is a proud sales partner and installer of the Sky-Frame system.

Contact
To find out more about our design services, call us on 0141 952 9619 or send us a message via our website contact page.