Architect's Toolbox: Hallways that Shine
Turn a hallway into a wonderful space with light, or something like it, at the end of the tunnel
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 »
I was 12 when my family moved from Connecticut to south Florida. As much as I didn't want to move (what 12 year old does?) our new Florida house had a pool. How cool was that! It was surely the best part of the house.
But it also had the darkest, narrowest and all-around worst hallway leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms. What a truly miserable space. And so important, as it was the transition between the public areas (living room, dining room, etc.) and the private areas (bedrooms and bathrooms) of the house. So I vowed when I became an architect (yes, a decision I made at 12 years old), I'd design hallways that were light and bright. Something that wasn't just maze like but truly a space to enjoy on its own.
So here are some terrific hallways, each with its own lesson on how to avoid those deary and dark spaces.
But it also had the darkest, narrowest and all-around worst hallway leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms. What a truly miserable space. And so important, as it was the transition between the public areas (living room, dining room, etc.) and the private areas (bedrooms and bathrooms) of the house. So I vowed when I became an architect (yes, a decision I made at 12 years old), I'd design hallways that were light and bright. Something that wasn't just maze like but truly a space to enjoy on its own.
So here are some terrific hallways, each with its own lesson on how to avoid those deary and dark spaces.
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1. Let the ceiling lead the way. Changing the shape of the ceiling can certainly make a big difference, especially as it emphasizes the linear quality of the space.
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Even an asymmetrical ceiling leads us on, especially with light at the end. And adding an opening in the wall above the door to give us a hint of the beam helps reinforce the linear progression.
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Or with distinctly linear slats that conceal the overhead light source.
| And skylights for natural lighting on a rhythm all their own. |
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2. Turn up the lighting. Too much light can be softened with the use of a dimmer switch, while too little light can't be fixed easily.
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3. What about that door? Use color to combine elements and create a pattern.
Or use a translucent material at the door to let light filter through while maintaining privacy.
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Or better still, use a pocket door that disappears to reveal the window beyond.
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4. Add a focal point. If the end of the hallway isn't a door or window but a blank wall, add some artwork to draw the viewer in.
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And avoid the tunnel effect with some gentle natural light introduced from the side.
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5. Place that special piece of furniture at the end. A place to rest and relax after that long journey down the gallery ...
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... making the trip worthwhile.
More: Design at the End of the Hall
Browse more photos of hallway designs
More: Design at the End of the Hall
Browse more photos of hallway designs
Ideabook updated on Sept. 26, 2011.
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Included Gaudi hallways - the antithesis of Wright! Love the rhythm and grace of them. Thank you again, Bud.
But I keep looking for inspiration...
Two things you could do that aren't costly and would make a big difference is to add some recessed lighting (say smaller 4" diameter cans spaced about 36" apart) or add a light tube type skylight (http://suntunnelskylights.veluxusa.com/consumer/productinfo/rigid_tunnel/pitched_tmr) or both. I've used the Velux product a number of times, all with great success.
Good luck!
We have run through a thousand ideas in our heads over the years as to what could be done and the clincher was the pitched ceiling in the Smith & Vansant photo. All the other good ideas have melded neatly in to that major design change. Faux skylights, door treatments and lighting will all help to turn our dull-as-dishwater hall in to something with visual impact and room to breathe.
I am halfway through, having just completed the plasterwork on the new ceiling. I can, literally, see light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
Window shutter on order too - so that will give the hall 4 lighting schemes in all. I also stumbled upon these LED 'skylights' that I am currenlty evaluating and will install in June. So the square reveals in the ceiling are still unfinished.
Lights on top of the radiator shelves and the faux candle bulbs each side of the loft door work through a Siemens remote socket control device. The LED skylights will work only during daylight hours on a PIR to give the illusion of natural light - the one thing not in abundance in the hall.
A couple of quick iPhone images on the progress to date.