the window as gesture

Introduction

Window attachment

Window placement

As an extension of the study on vernacular building typology different attachments of windows and solar shading solutions are studied to define key principles for the window design defining most suitable solution of attaching the window, both with a strong focus on securing airtightness and minimized linear thermal transmittance, as well as designing for affordances and spatial user needs, so the window becomes part of the interior furnishment.

According to research on window attachments of passive house design in a Danish context, it is concluded that the passive house brings the potential for utilising the window as part of the interior, complimenting the functionality of the given room. This is done by studying how improvement of the linear thermal transmittance, with focus on air tightness, influences the architectural expression (Brunsgaard, 2008).

In Austria, Switzerland and Germany where the passive house typology was invented, houses are traditionally insulated from the exterior around the frame in order to minimize linear thermal transmittance (Brunsgaard, 2008).

On the following page strategies for the placement of the window mount is studied and evaluated by pros and cons, in comparison to the typically Danish window mount shown in the princple section beside.

Figure 72 Furniture and window

Figure 73 Window placement

Figure 74 Principal section of a traditionally Danish window mount

THE WINDOW AS GESTURE

A place to sit

Figure 75 A niche in a build furniture Figure 76 A place to sit Figure 77 An interesting light emphasizing an architectural experience

Recessed Window

+ Minimized linear thermal transmittance + Depth of the window attachment / placement acts as solar shading - Façcade is casting shadow on the interior - Visually creates depth in the outer façade which is not a traditionally Danish appearance / unusual in the Danish building tradition as usually used in warmer climates - Requires very light colour tones of the interior to let daylight into the room + Frame appears slender from the interior view towards outside, as traditionally Danish + Minimized linear thermal transmittance + Brings more daylight into the building, as the window is in plane with the façade/ building envelope + The window sill depth can be fully utilised to extend the interior, and act as a soft transition from inside to outside or be utilised for functionalities such as seating, tables or even beds etc. - Gives a heavier expression on the exterior of the window frame - Risk of overheating during summer times if no solar shading is integrated in the design solution

Aligned Window

Figure 78 Recessed window Figure 79 Aligned window