Get the Story of Wonderful Windows From Both Sides
Consider the ins and outs of these unusual glass architectural features to see how marvelous windows can be
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City.... More »
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Glass is easily one of the most amazing inventions in human history. In architecture the material physically separates inside and outside yet provides views from one side to the other. This quality alone makes glass unique in buildings, and in the 20th century it made the material ubiquitous, such that many buildings in that century appear to be nothing but glass.
Glass' primary means of use is the window. Obvious, yes, but the variety of windows — sizes, shapes, frames — gives almost unlimited means of expression. A window is not merely a separation between inside and outside; it is a controlled view to the outside world, a means of defining how we relate to the world around us. Therefore a window's view from the inside is as important (if not more so) as how a window looks from the exterior. This ideabook looks at windows from the outside and the inside, illustrating the various effects that come through a variety of window designs.
Glass' primary means of use is the window. Obvious, yes, but the variety of windows — sizes, shapes, frames — gives almost unlimited means of expression. A window is not merely a separation between inside and outside; it is a controlled view to the outside world, a means of defining how we relate to the world around us. Therefore a window's view from the inside is as important (if not more so) as how a window looks from the exterior. This ideabook looks at windows from the outside and the inside, illustrating the various effects that come through a variety of window designs.
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| Modern architecture's elimination of the window in favor of all-glass walls is one of its most significant achievements, rooted in technology (manufacturers' ability to create large panes of flat glass) and the desire to visually merge inside and outside. Of course, large expanses of glass result in the home's inhabitants being on display. Large curtains or screens are one solution, but design that takes into account privacy is important, so glass walls face onto exteriors only where prying eyes don't venture. |
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| This view out through full-height walls reveals a yard with surrounding trees, a controlled view to a private outdoor realm. Note the grilles on the floor in front of the glass wall. Even with insulated glass, areas with glass walls are a source of heat loss, so they need to be heated carefully, ideally from down low, given that heat rises. |
by KIMOY Studios
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Sometimes privacy can't be so carefully controlled, especially in cities. This residence in Brooklyn, New York, has a large storefront facing the sidewalk, hardly an ideal place for lots of see-through glass. Breaking up the floor-to-ceiling glass into smaller squares allowed translucent panes to be inserted.
by KIMOY Studios
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The translucency of the lower panes comes across from inside. These pieces allow light to enter the space but not the eyes of passersby. In effect the clear glass at top is a clerestory that allows views of the trees.
Not all modern architecture abolishes the more traditional idea of a window; witness this tall window. The wooden slat shade mounted on the exernal frame illustrates one way of shading interiors.
| The effect of the wood screen is apparent here, as is the way it is sized appropriately for the window — a gap at the top gives views of the trees, and an equal gap at the bottom allows an operable vent to open. |
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| My like for corner windows has been made clear here and here. This one reveals that the window need not be big to have an impact. |
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The corner window looks flat from outside, but inside the depth of the wall really comes across. The eye-level window carefully frames a view of the surrounding trees. The small column is a nice touch that makes one aware of the weight of the wall above the window.
by Marco Antunio
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The shape of a window has a lot of bearing on its appearance, but it's rare to see shapes that are not orthogonal (not square or rectangular). This circular window comes across as something special, highlighting what looks to be a chair inside and the stone construction that helps make the opening possible.
by Marco Antunio
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The window and the chair inside have a symbiotic relationship — the view exists to be enjoyed from the chair. The circle is resolved on the inside with a bookcase that accentuates the aperture's shape.
| More typical rectangular windows derive many of their differences from details. In this case the color of the window frame is particularly important, setting it off from the bark siding. The inclusion of divided panes also gives the window a finer scale that is appropriate given the siding. |
| Elsewhere on the same house, a wide window with an arced top relates to the rise of the gable above it. The window also works with the large composition of the elevation, sitting between the roof and the rectangular window below, and straddling the change in siding. |
| The window's shape relates to the distant view of the hills and the sky from the inside. A flat top would have cut off the sky, but the curve opens up the view to take in more blue. |
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| This last example is a Mediterranean house with an interesting window design. The rectangular opening is dived into two, then cut in half again. The result is like a small rectangle (in the middle) inside the larger opening. It's intriguing, because of the way it departs from other operable window types. |
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The design creates casement windows that occupy the middle zone, above and beside fixed panes.
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| In the kitchen of the same home we can see not only how the casements look when open, but what the fixed panel at the bottom allows: plants and other objects can sit on the sill and still allow the windows to open. The plants occupy a zone between the indoors and the trees beyond. They are a bit of manicured vegetation that positively affects the view through the window. More: Explore window designs in the Houzz remodeling section |
Ideabook published on Feb. 5, 2013.
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Should we ever move again, I'd like to have a circular window. I find them particularly enchanting.
I especially love the colored frames and unique shapes, I would love to show you some designs in Germany where our windows have been put into some insane configurations. One in particular was a solid mahogany window shaped into a butterfly for a little girl's room. We finished the inside off in pink!
Also are we related? My last name is Hill : )