Royal Marines Museum, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Structural Glass Design supplied and installed a bespoke walk-on structural glass floor supported by structural glass beams as part of the redevelopment of the Royal Marines Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The frameless glazing system was engineered to maximise transparency and natural light within the restored historic building while providing a durable load-bearing solution for public use.

Structural Glass Design were commissioned to supply and install 2 bespoke walk-on structural glass floor systems as part of the redevelopment of the Royal Marines Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The project formed part of the major restoration and transformation of the historic naval building into a landmark visitor destination, combining heritage architecture with contemporary structural glazing design.

The installation featured large-format walk-on structural glass floor panels supported by precision-engineered structural glass beams, creating a highly transparent floor structure with minimal visible supporting elements. The glazing system was designed to maximise natural light transmission between levels while maintaining exceptional structural performance and safety within a public environment.

Working within the constraints of a sensitive historic building, the project required careful coordination, specialist detailing and precision installation techniques to integrate the structural glass system seamlessly within the existing architecture. Laminated toughened structural glass assemblies were engineered specifically for public pedestrian loading, delivering long-term durability, optical clarity and a clean frameless appearance.

The completed installation forms part of the wider regeneration of the Royal Marines Museum, showcasing how modern structural glass engineering can be successfully incorporated within historically significant buildings to create dramatic contemporary visitor spaces.

• LOCATION: PORTSMOUTH
• SYSTEM: WALK ON STRUCTURAL GLASS FLOORS
• APPLICATION: PUBLIC REALM / MUSEUM
• GLASS TYPE: LAMINATED TOUGHENED STRUCTURAL GLASS
• LOADING: PEDESTRIAN FOOT TRAFFIC
• SECTOR: COMMERCIAL / CULTURAL
• STRUCTURAL GLASS PANELS: 48mm THICK
• LAMINATED GLASS BEAMS: 48mm THICK

The Royal Marines Museum redevelopment required the integration of a contemporary walk-on structural glass floor within a historically significant naval building undergoing major restoration at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The challenge was to create a highly transparent floor structure capable of supporting public pedestrian loading while preserving the architectural integrity and character of the existing heritage environment. The installation also demanded minimal visible structural support, requiring the use of structural glass beams to maintain clear sightlines and maximise natural light transmission between levels within the refurbished museum space.

Structural Glass Design engineered and installed a bespoke walk-on structural glass floor system supported by precision-manufactured structural glass beams, creating a clean frameless appearance with exceptional transparency and structural performance. Using laminated toughened glass assemblies specifically designed for public use, the installation delivered a durable load-bearing glazing solution while minimising the need for conventional supporting steelwork. Careful detailing and specialist installation techniques allowed the structural glass system to integrate seamlessly within the restored historic building, successfully combining modern structural glazing technology with the preservation of an important heritage landmark.