Architect's Toolbox: Partner a Window With Its View
Vistas meet their match with windows that consider the scenery and the overall feel of a home
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I am licensed to practice architecture in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey & Wisconsin and I am a certificate holder from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Since 1996 I have worked from my home office and provide full architectural services exclusively to the single family residential market. My passion is to transform my clients' houses into their homes. I strive to have the "new" home accommodate my clients' lives without fighting them at every junction. I look to add curb appeal to encourage a beautiful streetscape. And I design any addition to look and feel like it has always been there.
Our projects have won numerous design awards as well as having...
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located... More »
What type of view do you have, and how do you want to capture this view to make it part of your home? Should the window help create a larger room or should it frame a view? Should the window be a simple punched opening in the wall, or should it take over the wall and even the roof? Should the window act alone or be organized with other windows?
These and other questions are fundamental to ask when designing the type, style and location of your windows. And how you answer will have a significant impact on the nature of your home space.
So let's look at some basic approaches to designing a window and see how each affects the interior of a home.
These and other questions are fundamental to ask when designing the type, style and location of your windows. And how you answer will have a significant impact on the nature of your home space.
So let's look at some basic approaches to designing a window and see how each affects the interior of a home.
| Made of glass that stretches from floor to ceiling and corner to corner, a window wall encourages an indoor-outdoor relationship in which boundaries disappear. Ideally suited for a room that commands an expansive view, this type of window design helps in creating a space that isn't quite part of the interior nor the exterior, but a place in between the two. |
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| A punched window is perfect for framing a special view. Whether oriented horizontally or vertically, with thin or thicker casing, this type of window treats the view as a framed object ... |
... such as a photo or a painting of the landscape. But a framed view created by this type of window is better than a static photo or painting, as the view is constantly changing with the time of day and the season.
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| A conservatory or a greenhouse, whether in a modern or traditional idiom, is a great way to extend the indoor space outward. Not limited to just horizontal or vertical sight lines, these glass enclosures truly make indoor rooms into outdoor spaces. |
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| A horizontal band of transom windows set high up in the wall provides privacy while forcing the view upward. This is an great way to capture light and a view when what's directly outside isn't something you really want to look at. |
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| A corner window really opens a space up, especially when there is no corner post, as it directs the view out on a diagonal. It's perfect for smaller rooms and spaces, like a home office or ... |
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| ... a small bedroom. No matter the style, from traditional to contemporary, a corner window is an effective way to make a smaller room seem much larger than it actually is. |
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| A series of tall and thin vertical windows splits the view into ribbons of light and greenery. Though mostly associated with a contemporary aesthetic, vertical windows ... |
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| ... can be used by ganging a series of traditional double-hung windows together. Ganging windows in rows like this allows for a room to capture the light and the view while still providing an ample amount of wall space for other needs. |
Comments
ísARK Studio Lovely article.
10 months ago · Like
alisaklein Great article. You compiled so many incredible examples! That bathroom is perfection. Thank you.
10 months ago · Like
midmodfan I'm a fan of window walls (i.e. I could live in Philip Johnson's Glass House), but I have to admit that the two examples of windows framing a particular view are absolutely stunning. Very interesting and inspiring ideabook!
10 months ago · Like
CoorItalia Ah, shameless self promotion but here is a project we worked on that would fit in fine with this article! When you have the view, frame it! 
10 months ago · Like
Silvia Lafleur Stunning rooms. I could sit in those living room chairs for hours and would never want to leave the bath. Thank you
10 months ago · Like
stargazer51 Wonderful examples. At first glance, I thought the view of the waterway, building and boat was art. Breathtaking.
10 months ago · Like
US Door & More Inc We would like to read some topic about matching Entry Doors design with Home Style from you Bud
9 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Aug. 21, 2012.
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