Some of the most integral parts of a building are related to light and air. Windows, for example, can help transform a project into a more liveable or better space, providing natural light or connecting the building’s users with their surroundings. 

From windows inserted into historic structures, to windows meant to give the building a distinct, landmark look, these nine projects utilize windows as a primary feature. View the nine creative uses of windows after the break.

1. Flower + Kindergarten; Seoul, South Korea / Jungmin Nam

© Kyungsub Shin

Located in a high-density area of Seoul, Flower + Kindergarten seeks to provide a dynamic physical environment for children, while simultaneously using its distinct shapes to provide a local landmark in a homogenous neighborhood.

2. Hadaway House; Whistler, Canada / Patkau Architects

© James Dow / Patkau Architects

The Hadaway House’s massing was developed from the allowable footprint and building height, combined with the sloped snow-shed roof, creating a sculptural quality for the building that is reflected additionally in its windows.

3. Jaffa Apartment; Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel / Pitsou Kedem Architect

© Amit Geron

Set above the harbor and facing the Mediterranean Sea, the Jaffa Apartment is a restoration of its historic building site, and features large windows in its original arches.

4. Gablepack; Gyeonggi-do, South Korea / AND

© Kyungsub Shin

Working from a site requirement to include a gable, the Gablepack mixed-use building incorporates the gable into not only its structure, but also its windows in both the commercial and residential areas.

5. Vila Franca de Xira Municipal Library; Portugal / Miguel Arruda Arquitectos Associados

© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Located on the site of a former rice factory, which inspired the name, the “Factory of Words,” Vila Franca de Xira features a large triangular window, shared by all of its floors.

6. The Crystal Cathedral; California, United States / Philip Johnson

Courtesy of American Seating

Completed in 1980, The Crystal Cathedral utilizes a glass enclosure to ensure that the church is open to the sky and surroundings.

7. The Big Little House; Australia / Nic Owen Architects

© Christine Francis

The Little Big House is a renovation and extension to the rear of a heritage Victorian terrace in Melbourne, and includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a study, all of which respects the neighboring historic structures.

8. V House; Mexico / Abraham Cota Paredes Arquitectos

© Cesar Bejar

In the V House in Mexico, a large window frames the exterior while still preserving privacy. Furthermore, the center of the house is occupied by a patio, which helps facilitate the exchange of light and air throughout the space.

9. Mountain Restaurant Björk in Hemavan; Sweden / Murman Architects

© Ake E:son Lindman

Located along the top tree line of slow-growing birches in Sweden, this restaurant seeks to emphasize the relationship between the building and nature, with panoramic views of the mountains, as well as a valley to the South.

http://ift.tt/1PCPRPP

© Dano Veselský

• Architects: Architekti Šebo Lichý
• Location: Nová, 747 92 Háj ve Slezsku, Czech Republic
• Project Team: Mgr. arch. Igor Lichý, Ing. arch. Drahan Petrovič, Ing. arch. Tomáš Šebo, Ing. arch. Katarína Uhnáková, Ing. arch. Emanuel Zatlukaj
• Area: 1868.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2014
• Photographs: Dano Veselský, Triaska Stefanovic

• Investor: ITB development a Imagine development
• General Contractor: Me&Co
• Statics : Konstrukt+
• Electrical Installations: Legrand
• Sanitation: Kolo
• Heating / Ventilation / Air Conditioning : Korad Plan VKP
• Lifts: KONE
• Other Installations: Electric door opener – Siedle, Emergency lights – Helplux design
• Land Area: 2.206 m2
• Utility Area: 6.504,51 m2
• Building Volume: 19.513,53m3
• Construction Cost: 6.180.000 €

© Dano Veselský

An extraordinary residential house NEW GROVE was designed by the architectural studio Šebo Lichý in cooperation with acclaimed Slovak architect Drahan Petrovič, who worked for several years in Vancouver. In this project they have applied the principles of the Canadian housing and created a very first project of its kind in Slovakia, which gives clients the opportunity to design and customize their  own apartment. The architectural concept is based on the principle of flexible housing units to produce a virtually unlimited number of variations.

© Triaska Stefanovic

The result is a fresh, modern and original construction, which revives the locality, improves family living in the largest Slovak housing estate and elevates it to a new level. Clients can choose the number of bathrooms, number of rooms, open and connected living room with kitchen, design a loft or partition the space. Flexible concept also allows to change living space in the future. But what makes this project even more interesting is that clients can design their own interior as well as exterior. By the beginning of the construction it was possible to select either the number or size of windows or balconies. This created a distinctive facade design with various balconies and loggias, which looks very clean and pleasant.

Section

NEW GROVE consists of two residential towers connected by a common footstool, which is composed of smaller retail outlets. It is rather a chamber project with 72 apartments, one- to five-room. 83 parking spaces are located on one above ground and one underground floor. There are also storage spaces for each apartment. Entrances from the street and to the garages are barrier-free. Access to the apartments is provided by two core units with stairs and lifts.

© Triaska Stefanovic

The project is situated in a location with good public facilities, shops, schools, densely covered with public transport and various options for leisure-time and recreational activities. There is a racecourse, Danube embankment and park. Architects decided to elevate this exceptional natural environment and planted the building elegantly in the surrounding greenery. The entire base is lined with facing panels made of natural material, the balconies as well. Architects have managed to not only visually link the housing with the surrounding greenery, but let in sun and light to the whole neighborhood. As a result, there are pleasant sunny, airy and spacious apartments with spectacular views. Architecture of the apartment building NEW GROVE is unique, pioneering and especially based on real needs and wishes of future apartment owners.

Plan

http://ift.tt/22WYhuL