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Night and Day Differences in Exteriors
Homes have different personalities when the sun goes down. See how these exteriors show themselves in the best possible light
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 »
Buildings may be mute, made up of inert materials in stable compositions, but perceptions of them can vary greatly between when the sun is up and after it has gone down. To accentuate that difference, this ideabook collects houses with the same view photographed at dusk or nighttime and during the day.
During the day exterior materials make their presence known, walls are canvases for shadows, and glass reflects the surroundings. But at night materials fade into the background and walls frame the illuminated windows where the interior spills out. Of course this ideabook begs considering lighting when undertaking a project, but it's also good to think of the house at all times of the day, as an object within the circular passage of time.
During the day exterior materials make their presence known, walls are canvases for shadows, and glass reflects the surroundings. But at night materials fade into the background and walls frame the illuminated windows where the interior spills out. Of course this ideabook begs considering lighting when undertaking a project, but it's also good to think of the house at all times of the day, as an object within the circular passage of time.
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| At night the composition and makeup of the various windows on this house stand out: a small square window at the upper left, full-height glass down below, the large opening that juts above the roof and includes integral horizontal louvers. |
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| During the day the volume that projects above the roof is much more prominent. The stucco walls are also a great backdrop for shadows from trees in the backyard. |
![modern exterior by thirdstone inc. [^]](http://st.houzz.com/fimgs/94414ad80f04a64c_4883-w422-h562-b0-p0--modern-exterior.jpg)
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The deep spaces of this house are apparent when seen at dusk, though it's still bright enough to read the various exterior materials, particularly the wood siding and slats.
![modern exterior by thirdstone inc. [^]](http://st.houzz.com/fimgs/8fb16dfe0f04a663_4917-w422-h562-b0-p0--modern-exterior.jpg)
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That fishbowl effect disappears during the day when the trees and other surroundings are reflected in the large glass windows. It's good here to point out that many of the photos serve to highlight the depth of the houses at night, such that window shades are nonexistent. Many homeowners living with such expanses of glazing often install something to modulate light and views.
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| At dusk the interior spaces of this house literally glow, their yellow paint standing out against the white and gray exterior walls. |
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| In what looks to be a shot taken not long before the previous photo, the difference is nevertheless apparent. Exterior surfaces are stronger, and the interiors are less discernible through the glass. Note how the reading of the yellow is aided by parts of the exterior (entries) painted to match the interiors. |
Connection between inside and outside is important in this project, where a wall opens to connect a living area and wood patio. This connection is reinforced by the downlights in the roof overhang outside, illuminating the patio.
With the glass wall open, the view inside the house happens during the day as well, aided by the clerestory window on the left.
At night the large roof overhang is a canvas for light spilling from the inside the glass box. A couple of downlights serve a second-floor terrace above the dining room.
During the day the roof shades the glass walls. It also gives a sense of enclosure to the otherwise transparent glass box.
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| Here is another example where a deep roof overhang is a canvas for light. The glow from the interior accentuates the wood surface that covers the underside of the roof. |
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| That wood still has a prominence during the day, along with the cladding on the first floor, but the dark glass cuts down on views into the house. |
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| The glow of this house may be a bit confusing at first. Translucent surfaces — corrugated panels, screens — give it a distinctive appearance, a more gauzy look, than in the previous photos. |
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| This thorougly modern house is wrapped in terraces upstairs and patios at grade. Both of these exterior spaces are thoughtfully illuminated through downlights. |
| During the day the warm glow of the downlights gives way to a predominantly white and gray palette. The green grass and peripheral hedges are the strongest bit of color during the day. |
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| The various windows — square, rectangular, L-shaped — glow at night, bringing warmth to the house surrounded by snow. |
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| During the day the subtle colors of the fiber cement panels are apparent as the interiors fade away behind the glass. More: Architecture at Night: Lanterns in the Landscape Translucent Surfaces: A Canvas for Light and Shadow |
Comments
tahania i love this idea...showing the day and night :)
15 months ago · Like
Cathy Lara Thanks so much for sharing this with Houzz nation. En[light]ening.
15 months ago · Like
aabz-imaging Great article! When photographing the exterior of houses it is absolutely essential to me that there is at least some light shinning through the windows from the inside, making the house appear open, warm and inviting. Like eyes, which are windows to our soul, illuminated windows in an architectural photograph reveal the soul of a house to me. Your samples showcase this beautifully.
15 months ago · Like
gknee Terrific ideabook.
15 months ago · Like
Judy Thanks, this Ideabood is really interesting. The differences in the first house, day and evening, is amazing!
15 months ago · Like
Nina sobiNina Design Interesting article and cool idea to show side by side comparison of day and night shots. Thanks.
15 months ago · Like
kuyktama Love the contrasts. Thanks for sharing.
15 months ago · Like
nkaa I must say, I was very surprised to see such a change. Impressive!
15 months ago · Like
keiks Great idea book. Something most homeowners wouldn't consider. John Hill, I read and look forward to all your idea books, thank you!
15 months ago · Like
kueber loved this ideabook. very interesting to see contrasts between day/night.
15 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on March 6, 2012.
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