Modern Homes Embrace Mixed Views on Windows
Sure, there are walls of glass. But modern architecture affords the design freedom to have small, narrow and oddly shaped windows too
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 »
Modern residential architecture may be perceived as glass walls, but most houses of the ilk have smaller windows, rather than full window walls. Which leads to the question, Why one window versus another one? Should a window be tall, wide, narrow, square, fixed, operable? These questions apply to all residences, but given the freedom that modern design affords, they're more of a concern with this style than with others. This ideabook deals with these questions by looking at four projects recently posted to Houzz.
|
by John Vetter
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 1. Vetter Denk's Champion residence in Wisconsin has an interesting mix of tall windows and horizontal ones. The two actually overlap on the right side of this photo. |
|
by John Vetter
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| One intersection of wide and tall happens in the dining room. The tall window aligns with the dining table and is flanked by sliding windows that allow natural ventilation. The horizontal window frames a vista for people eating at the table, but the tall window connects this view to the immediate foreground. |
|
by John Vetter
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The other side of the Champion residence is partially bermed into the landscape. Here the horizontal window dominates. |
|
by John Vetter
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Back in the dining area, we see how the horizontal window works with the kitchen. The windows sit above the counter height and turn the corner to bring plenty of light to the space. The operable window sits in front of the sink, giving a nice breeze to whoever has to wash the pans. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 2. I'm intrigued by this "Sixties Spiffed" project from Welch Forsman Associates, because from this view it looks pretty solid. Where are the windows? |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Many of the windows are actually clerestories, located above the level of the brick wall in the previous photo. A skylight, visible above the island, helps to bring daylight to the center of the house. While the house is not limited to clerestory windows, they ring the house, creating a halo-like effect that links the various rooms. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
In the bathroom the clerestory is particularly nice, because it brings in light while providing privacy.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
3. The Shepherds residence, designed by 360 Architects, is also intriguing. At the back patio the walls are primarily solid, save a small window upstairs and two narrow windows below. I'm guessing the upstairs window serves a bedroom, because it's operable. But what about downstairs?
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The two windows actually visually connect the kitchen to the yard. In between the two windows is a solid wall that is used for a large built-in refrigerator. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 4. The Gulf Coast Farmhouse, designed by M+A Architecture Studio, includes these three angled bays that are highlighted by different colors. Their regularity, and the fact that the house is for a family with three kids, points to their serving bedrooms. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| From the living space inside, these rooms are apparent through the bright colors' "leaking" through clerestory windows. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Beyond the last bedroom is a stretch of wall that is punctured by various openings in a strange pattern that must arise from interior concerns. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| These windows serve the bathroom. One window is in the shower, a long one sits high, one is in front of one of the lavs, and one is even found below the counter, in a gap between cabinets. It's an interesting way of selectively bringing light into a space that often suffers from little to none. |
Comments
kennedytarheel While I like the look and feel of clerestory windows, in a home with only clerestory windows I would not be able to look out! :(
8 months ago · Like
John Hill Kennedytarheel - As you can see in this photo --
-- the house is not limited to clerestory windows (and I do mention that the house is not limited to them). But by focusing on them in that example, I was hoping to show their potential.
by Welch Forsman Associates
by Welch Forsman Associates
Sixties Spiffed8 months ago · Like
· 
4
4
jeanneahad OMG! Can you say burrrrr?
8 months ago · Like
Becca Liu Love, love, love the idea of mix and matching tall & horizontal windows! Especially the idea of having them overlap... very interesting combination. By any chance do you know where they got the windows from?
8 months ago · Like
John Hill Becca - Not sure, but I'd recommend asking the architects a question via one of the images.
8 months ago · Like
janehiatt I love modern design but this house is just a little odd for me.
8 months ago · Like
Susie Q Design Studio Janehiatt, which house? There are at least four houses in this idea book.
8 months ago · Like
John Hill I was wondering that myself...
8 months ago · Like
janehiatt Sorry. The Guld Coast Farmhouse.
8 months ago · Like
Designs for all seasons These projects are amazing, with such great windows and doors and its so apparent that the state of the outdoor space is so important to the success of the projects. When architect and landscape designer collaborate in the earliest stages, the landscape can be designed to compliment the architecture and the building can be located to maximise the views make the best use of the whole site.
8 months ago · Like
waelrawwa nice!! i only got one Q. whats the height gor those clerestory windows ?
3 weeks ago · Like
John Hill waelrawwa - Not sure which ones you're referring to, but typically they're at least at the top of a door (approx. 7').
3 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Sept. 26, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
basements · bedrooms · dining rooms · entries · family rooms · garage and sheds · halls · home offices · landscapes · laundry rooms · powder rooms · wine cellars and more.
