Cliffhanger: A Mid-Century Marvel Reinvented with Kalwall Daylighting

In the rolling Surrey Hills of England, there’s a house that doesn’t just sit on the land—it hovers above it. Perched dramatically on a 50-degree slope, the aptly named Cliffhanger has been turning heads for over sixty years. Originally designed in 1962 by modernist pioneer Michael Manser, the home’s bold cantilevered steel frame was a feat of engineering at the time. In 2024, that same spirit of daring design was rekindled in a top-to-bottom renovation led by his son, Jonathan Manser, bringing the home into the 21st century while safeguarding its original character.

A big part of that renewal? Harnessing the transformative power of natural daylight with Kalwall’s translucent insulated Kalcurve® panels.

An Architectural Experiment in the Sky

When Michael Manser envisioned Cliffhanger, steel-framed homes were practically unheard of in Britain. Using a skeletal frame suspended on slender columns, he created a residence that seemed to float above the hillside. The cedar-clad structure was assembled quickly—family and friends pitched in over weekends—and its futuristic form made it a local sensation.

Its genius was in its lightness. The steel frame supported open spans and wide glass panels that blurred the line between indoors and out—a concept decades ahead of its time. The home became an emblem of postwar optimism, proving that residential architecture could be both efficient and inspiring.

When Time Tests a Vision

By the early 2020s, Cliffhanger’s age was showing. Years of weather exposure and material fatigue had taken their toll: water-damaged floors, sagging steel in one corner, and decaying timber. There were even traces of asbestos—a relic of mid-century construction.

Rather than tear it down, the owners committed to a faithful restoration that would preserve Cliffhanger’s identity while making it efficient, resilient, and comfortable for decades to come.

The 2024 Revival

Jonathan Manser began by stripping the structure back to its steel skeleton. This allowed the integration of modern thermal breaks and the refurbishment of the frame, which was then proudly showcased as an exterior design feature.

Sustainability drove every decision. The outdated gas boiler and fireplace were replaced with an air-source heat pump and underfloor heating. Single-pane glass gave way to high-performance, thermally broken glazing, and operable façade vents brought fresh air through the house naturally.

The Spiral Staircase: Where Kalwall Steals the Show

At the heart of the renovation is a design moment that captures both the home’s heritage and its new chapter: the spiral staircase wrapped in Kalwall’s translucent insulated Kalcurve panels.

The Kalcurve system transforms the stairwell into a vertical lantern, bathing the space in a steady wash of soft, glare-free daylight. Even on overcast days, the curved panels evenly diffuse light, eliminating harsh shadows while maintaining thermal efficiency. At night, interior lighting radiates outward, giving the house a gentle glow that’s visible from the surrounding hillside.

This wasn’t just an aesthetic decision. The Kalcurve panels add privacy without sacrificing connection to the sky, and their insulation performance supports the home’s energy goals. For Cliffhanger, it’s the perfect fusion of function, sustainability, and striking visual identity.

Lessons from the Edge

Cliffhanger’s rebirth offers key takeaways for modern architecture and preservation:

• Light is transformative – Kalwall’s Kalcurve panels turn a functional stairwell into a luminous centerpiece.
• Design and performance can coexist – Aesthetic upgrades can improve sustainability and comfort.
• Respect the past, build for the future – Thoughtful restorations can extend a building’s relevance without erasing its story.
• Daylight is timeless – Spaces that celebrate natural light are universally uplifting.

From a daring mid-century experiment to a renewed 21st-century icon, Cliffhanger proves that architecture thrives when innovation meets respect for heritage. And with Kalwall’s Kalcurve panels now casting a soft, welcoming glow through its core, this house on the edge isn’t just preserved—it’s illuminated for the future.

Cliffhanger has recently been shortlisted for the Architects Journal Retrofit & Reuse Awards 2025.