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16 Architectural Details That Sing
Get inspired by construction details as important as the building itself
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 »
Often attributed to Mies van der Rohe, the statement "God is in the details" is an oft-used and sacrosanct (for modernist architects) saying that elevates the architectural detail on par or above the whole building. Whatever that statement's interpretation or polemic use by an architect, it's easy to see its relevance to minimalism — where construction joints must be carefully (and often expensively) treated to conceal the connections that might otherwise be expressed, distracting from the bare surfaces and spaces.
But what about architectural design that celebrates these connections by not only expressing them but by making them integral parts of one's experience and interaction with a building? The following examples point to designs that make particular construction details an important part of the building.
But what about architectural design that celebrates these connections by not only expressing them but by making them integral parts of one's experience and interaction with a building? The following examples point to designs that make particular construction details an important part of the building.
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| If one area of a house is ripe for expressing construction details, it is stairs. The combination of the various parts (steps, guardrails, handrails) and the willingness of clients to make these elements special creates many unique designs. In this stair, the steps are simple blocks of wood, but the bolted connection of the post to the step (in center of photo) and the way the handrail floats above the steel support add complexity to the stair. The rounded corners of the steel are particularly nice, expressing the effort of actually bending the bars. |
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| Designed by the same architects, this stair floats, suspended from cables that double as the guardrail. The connection of the cables through the stair is expressed, both above and below the steel plates. The detail is industrial, yet still simple. |
| A similar cable-guardrail is also happening in this photo, but the effect is much different. The cables are connected to a diagonal joint between the stair and the custom doors below. This line and the cable connections really accentuate the upward movement of the stair. |
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In this stair, something of a "non-detail" is taking place at the connection of the steps and the wall. A small reveal gives the impression that the wood steps float next to the wall, something reinforced by the dark material that holds them away from the wall (dark steel to match the wall?).
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| One detail that is just about always hidden is the structural connection between a beam and column. Hidden behind walls and ceilings in most buildings, outside of lofts and conversions, this curious example opens up a hole in the ceiling to express this joint. A closer look ... |
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| ... shows the steel sleeve that columns and beams and are bolted to. It's like a window into the building's previous life, a way of showing what the white walls cover. |
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| Doors are another element ripe for some nice detailing, even in areas beyond hinges and hardware. The rollers on this sliding-glass door are minimal yet totally expressive of what they do. |
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| These fireplace doors made from strips of stainless steel are an interesting composition in themselves. They work well with the gray brick, both in color and with the horizontal lines. |
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Even though these screens are busy with the vertical strips, the frame and the hinge are quite simple. With the latter, note the cylinder in the top corners, a detail that is reiterated down below with a small angle.
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| The joint between these two pieces of concrete counter is treated with an interlocking notch and curve. More difficult than orthogonal (right-angle) pieces or a miter, this solution makes the connection special. |
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This wood and steel table recalls the floating handrail earlier in this ideabook. There is something appealing about a perimeter gap created by lifting the surface above the structure. Even the legs seem to float above the floor.
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Moving outside, these wood slats are utilitarian in the way they are connected to the substrate — countersunk screws — but note the care in angling the top of the projecting pieces, so water sheds off the wood.
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| In this front yard, parallel rows of burnished-block concrete walls are tied together with poured-in-place walls at right angles. The latter actually envelopes the lower portion of the wall, a detail that is reiterated in various plays throughout the project. |
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In pavers the most important joint is the one between blocks, something that is treated as a fairly wide zone in this example. Small rocks soften the otherwise hard and flat pavers and create strong orthogonal lines.
The antithesis of the previous photo is this walkway, where the joints are planted and sinuous. The way the interconnected network of green ends at the steps, like an exclamation point, is a very nice touch.
More:
Why There's Beauty in Grid, Column and Row
Skinny Windows: Exclamation Points of Light
Ribbon Windows: Openness, Privacy and Cool Modern Design
More:
Why There's Beauty in Grid, Column and Row
Skinny Windows: Exclamation Points of Light
Ribbon Windows: Openness, Privacy and Cool Modern Design
Ideabook published on Sept. 10, 2011.
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Loved this aticle.
design possibilities. A wonderful wellspring of ideas!
Thanks!