Architecture
Breezeways: Architecture's Cool Connections
Sheltered open passages link spaces, catch breezes and frame a great view
A breezeway is defined as a roofed open passage connecting two buildings or two halves of one building. In residential architecture they are underused, usually owing to site restrictions and cost constraints. When utilized they have the benefit of funneling breezes, providing a cool and semi-enclosed outdoor space, and adding aesthetic interest to a house design. The following examples are fairly contemporary examples of breezeways, some minimal and utilitarian, others creating sizable outdoor rooms.
The narrow breezeway in this split-level house provides access to the two halves of the house under a glass canopy. On this top floor (the floor below is a full floor plate, so movement across the halves does not have to happen outside) the breezeway extends to become a balcony.
This beezeway is also narrow and serves primarily as a means of circulation. Here the space separates two buildings that sit perpendicular to each other, like an "L" in plan. The breezeway pulls the wind through to cool the adjacent courtyard.
This narrow breezeway moves people from the front to the back down below, while a second floor bridge traverses the space to connect the old and new portions of the house. Here the separation is also an aesthetic one, as the addition in steel sits in contrast to its predecessor.
This house, "U"-shaped in plan, situates a landscaped courtyard between the main wings, opening up the middle side as a beezeway. This opening connects the courtyard to the larger forest landscape beyond. A second floor bridge links the house and provides shelter for people outside.
Here the breezeway is an extension of the poll deck. Shelter comes in the form of an overhead trellis, but the space is all about the view.
This large house and equally large deck uses a trellis to link three separate structures. Breezeways can be found between each volume, and in combination with the trellises, movement outside is important in the design of the house.
This breezeway happens on the second floor, connecting two halves of the house and providing outdoor seating. The room below doubles as a breezeway when all the doors are open.
For this 1,400-square-foot house in a wooded context, I'll use a few photos to walk us around the breezeway. From afar this outdoor space is located just off of center, splitting the house into 1/3 and 2/3 volumes.
Up close a few things are evident: the roof is sloped dramatically from front to back; the rooms on the side open to the breezeway; and the space is wide enough that an intermediate column sits in the center.
From the rear the roof's slope reduces the scale of the house. This slope enables the rear to be more solid and the front more open (note the clerestories in the previous photo), but it also funnels the wind from front to back, most likely tuned to prevailing breezes.
From the master bedroom (the 1/3 part of the plan), a view to the living area happens through the breezeway. These indoor spaces can be further cooled by opening to this outdoor space.
This is my favorite view of this breezeway. It shows the vista and how this space is the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the house and its surroundings.
This last example illustrates that a breezeway can even happen in a remodeling. At left, before...
...and after. In this project the attached garage was remodelled into living space and the existing detached garage was linked to the house via a new breezeway. The last plays a large role in the overall remodeling, working well with the new plan and the architectural aesthetic. See more of this house.
More:
Sliding Walls Bring the Outside In
Design Details: Windows That Frame a View
More:
Sliding Walls Bring the Outside In
Design Details: Windows That Frame a View
