Behind The Window

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behind the window

behind the window

Luc

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Ant

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201

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Gerrit Rietveld Academy

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behind the window

Index

1 / Introduction a. Dictionary Definitions b. Quotes d. First Report2 / Photos Classification a. General history b. by Forms c. by Functions d. by Uses e. by Places f. by emotion g. by effects3 / Conclusion4 / Sources and Bibliography5 / Foot notes

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this research pretends to “see behind” windows in a conceptual perspective based on a photographic register of their parts, details, functions and aspects.

Usually windows are considered as “normal” part of any human’s environment. they are found in many forms in our environment, from the openings in the clouds to an opening in a building. windows are threshold between inside and outside and a subject to understand our position in space. Since long time this subject intrigues me and i shoot more than 500 pictures. it could be because i came from a country where sometime windows are just doors and are used to protect from the light (Mexico) and now i live in a place that most of the urban landscape is a windows patchwork to reach more light as possible (holland). Looking at each interpretation and classifying them on categories, i feel that we can seek on metaphoric meanings and to reach a renovate look to something obvious. My idea start from a very pragmatic exercises based on two authors, R. S. wurman1 and C. Courtecuisse. the methodol-ogy suggested from the sources is to understand a concept “through active and transversal methods that point out exploring and reflexive activities: collection, classification, questioning, developing and creating”2. wurman is an architect of information who works on making information understandable by reacting to the massive amount of information created by society by systemic design. this exercise will explore the window, letting the reader understand the many aspects and meanings of a window.

1 / Introduction

Examples of windows:

1 Window to protect

from the light in Old

Hacienda in Valle de

Bravo, México.

2 Simetric windows

in a facade to reach

more light as possible,

Amsterdam, Holland.

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a. Dictionary Definitions / Window’s Definition3

“the original is in the origins”.4

R. S. WuRman

Following wurman’s thoughts, it is important to start from a very far beginning to break down old preju-dices and paradigms. he suggests see the empty space that relates known concepts. For this reason the project start with a dictionary definition, to understand the object from what it isn’t.

• A space usually filled with glass in the wall of a building or in a vehicle, to allow light and air in and to allow people inside the building to see out.

• Literary something that makes it possible for you to see and learn about a situation or experience that is different from your own.

• A transparent rectangle on the front of an envelope, through which you can read the address written on the letter inside.

• The decorative arrangement of goods behind the window at the front of a shop, in addition to the window itself.

Example of window:

3 Window as a

transparent rectangle

on top of an entrance

to allow light and air in

and allow people inside

the building to see out.

Edimburg, Scotland.

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Definition of construction book“An aperture in a wall, floor, or roof is known as a opening. Openings joins spaces for functional or visual reasons and thus establish a relationship between them. is a building component for closing off an opening. It consists of outer and sash frames plus the glazing and is fitted into the structural opening. together, window and opening form an indispensable construction package. is both an element of the package and the dividing between interior and exterior.”5

Here we found two first interesting concepts about windows: “something that makes it possible for you to see and learn about a situation or experience that is different from your own” and “As a compo-nent of a building that closes and opening”. This is exactly my situation now, as I said at the beginning: windows literally are a pretext to understand where i am and a pretext to understand our interior’s space. even the window of an envelope is the components to identify the position and possession of the letter. the same happens with the window in a building, to understand the position we have in relation to the possession of qualities of the space.

Example of window:

4 Window as a

component for closing

anf opening in the

building of The Bauhus

School to understand

the position in relation

to the qualities of

the space. Dessau,

Germany.

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b. Quotes

Between the big amounts of quotes, I choose the following ones. These quotes are used to comprehend the signification on a metaphorical meaning and literary use of the window. These quotes give the win-dow signification on a level of form, function and use. Form in the understanding on the performance of space, use on the perception of the space and function on the performance of control.

Form“The eyes are the windows to the soul.”6 Function “Many doctrines are like windows. We see truth through it but it divides us from truth.”7 “Now, what is that makes a scene interesting? If you see a man coming through a doorway, it means

nothing. If you see him coming through a window that is at once interesting.”8 Use“Without stirring abroad, one can know the whole world; without looking out of the window one can

see the way of heaven. The further one goes the less one knows.

Example of window:

5 Window saling the

space implicit by the

anounsment on the fence

of the window. Madrid,

Spain.

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…We shape a beautiful pottery; only the hole inside makes it useful.We build solids walls, but the door and window’s empty space makes them useful.Fullness has a feature, but the essential utility belongs to the emptiness…”9 “Architecture is an exercise in narrative. Architecture is a vehicle for the telling of stories, a canvas

for relaying social myths, a stage for the theatre of every day.”10

The Lao Tzu and Kahlil Gibran and Matthew Frederic quotes are the most significant to me; they explain that innocence can help to reach knowledge, so that means that i have a chance to explore the world of the windows trough my self experience and observations. but also understand the window as something ells than a constructing component of a building. These quotes are the definitions to under-stand the window as an object that it isn’t.

Example of window:

6 Traditional street

signign in relation to the

position of the window,

we can related the

window to the street and

the street to the window.

Madrid, Spain.

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c. First Report

windows are a structural opening in the material that can be studied by their use, functions, forms and metaphorical meanings. they are a construction component of a building and storytellers of the human needs and development in their history.

Windows are openings of the human genius that have linked the space and requirements of human life (such as self perception and understandings of our world) with the utility of emptiness in a space.

This first report open us different way to look through the windows. The classifications here present-ed reflects an understanding of that emptiness through which will be explained by personal observation and direct experience. Just like braking in the worlds building through some of its windows.

Example of window:

7 Roof window as a

construction component

of a building and

storytellers of human

needs. University

Library, Delft, Holland.

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2 / Photos Classification a. General History

the general history of the window starts to observed the apparition of the window in its different aspects on this world. in my point of view, windows can be seen in so many forms in nature, as openings in the sky made by the clouds, holes in the rock made by erosion and so on. there for windows come far before human existence in the form of openings, letting light, air and water pass through. the difference between inside outside, above below is “framed” by “window”. This has influenced the existence and use of windows in architecture. In the shelters of the nomads they had a specific hole looking to the sky in the top centre of the structure. this opening was used for seeing the stars and sky and for letting the smoke of the kitchen fires go out. So the human started to think about the functions of the window: windows to let the air go in end out, windows to protect from de light, the wind, the cold, the hit, win-dows to understand your position in time and space by the day and night and the movement of the stars and climate. The form of the window plays a specific roll on the creation of the same. This roll may be attributed to the functions of the window, as the control of light, air and sight, but can it be recognized as a component of the structure?


8 Openings in the sky

made by the clouds

creating spots of light.

Camogli, Italy.

9 Traslation of the

opening of the sky in old

building. Pompei, Italy

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b. Forms

This Classification will question the sentence of “Form follows function”. If we think that windows have existed before human needs in forms of the clouds and erosion on the land, are we free to interpret theirs forms not by the function but by pure interpretation of a natural behaviour (questioning of our surroundings) and mostly in an artistic representation?

Le Corbusier and Perret, two architects form the 19th and 20th century, pioneers of the modern archi-tecture and structural rationalism had a discussion about the vertical windows and the horizontal win-dows at the beginning of the 20th century. they where discussing about the performance of the window in relation of their function of letting light in and framing a point of view towards the outside of the building. the vertical window looks like a person standing up and has a point of view of the street till the sky. in difference of the horizontal window that looks like a person laying down and has a point of view in horizontal degrees towards the outside. i think this discussion is merely a stubborn thought about and aesthetic point of view and arguing with the function of the window instead of a statement of the building and its surroundings. Any way windows being part of a design, component of a building have to fulfil a need and a space. In different types of buildings exist different forms of windows. The form of the windows started following the function when the specific needs of the human started to ap-pear, i would like to say form follows fear. the use of the window to look to the sky in some shelters of


10 Form outside of an

opening following the

function of protection.

Mallorca, Spain.

11 Form inside of an

opening following the

function of protection.

Mallorca, Spain.

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the nomads, is a good example of the fear of humans to understand (as the word says) to look closely in a position above the sky being protected of what they had each and every day on top of them, a fear of a bigger scale, the sky (sun and stars) the day, night and climate.

there are circular windows in the top centred of the shelter because of the structural construction of the shelter and for the need of ventilation and looking to the impressive sky. they are small vertical openings in the fortifications for being able to see outside and not seeing inside for protective reasons of invasions. After the first barrier of fear we have understanding (changing the word with “ing” by mak-ing it part of our control of our surroundings) and is when we start making the use of this openings for different functions and representations. the blow up of the forms of the openings for a higher control of the outside sight and inside qualities. This is a representation of overcoming the fear by opening the points of view. this let the form follow the function and overcoming all fears and exploring new open-ings. A good example of a window that follows the statement of the building is the opening in the door of a vault that has the form of a cross. it has the function of an opening and the form of the statement of the building communicating it to its surroundings. it represents the overcoming of a fear with a form that represents and other fear of the “next life”. the discussion of Le Corbusier and Perret comes again to be talk. they had an interesting discussion and in relation to the form of the window had to be done to understand that a window now a day is more than a fear and a need. Square windows vertical, hori-zontal, circular, round-end, in forms of crosses etc. are shapes and forms to represent a statement and a point of view of the building and its surroundings.


12 Window that

follows the functions

of the statement of the

building, representing

the overcoming of fear

with a form of an other

doubt. Belgium.

13 Traditional vertical

window on factory

house worker. Belgium.

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“openings have a public aspect, facing outwards, witch meets some of the demands made by pres-tige. their number and size suggest the social status of owner and occupants. the inward-facing side has a character of privacy and intimacy. The arrangement of doors and windows influences the effect made by the interior as well. Rooms that are well provides with windows can seem more generous and airy than the real dimensions would convey.”11

the form of the window talks about the public aspect and a social status of a building by the over-coming of the knowledge of its surroundings. it represents the soul of what we see in terms of what we live expose to our eyes and what our eyes want to see. From here the function come to be talk to under-stand the purpose of the control and the role it plays to represent the performance of a space.


14, 15, 16, 17 The form

of the window talks

about the public aspect

by the knowledge of its

surroundings.

Amsterdam, Holland.

Amsterdam, Holland.

Mallorca, Spain.

Thieu, Belgium.

Ouarsazat, Marroc.

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c. Functions

This classification is for understanding the performance functions achieved by the window aperture, protections and controls. if we can control our space by a simple component of a building, this compo-nent (window) it’s the protection and jeopardy of the building. Seen in the pervious chapter the function of closing of an opening is the use of a visual communication and performance of the building. this performance exists for a protective reason on terms of the qualities of relation of human and nature (Air, water, heat, sound). Windows are apertures in a wall, floor, or roof, which promotes visual links, access and for permeability of light, air and heat sound on a building. windows have different functions, and this are define by the protective role they have to achieve. “The basic needs that windows meet have remained largely the same for centuries, but there has been a considerable change in requirements for thermal and sound insulation and fireproofing, and for air tightness where the structural element meet the wall. The demands made on a window’s properties or efficiency depend on the location of the build-ing, the topography, the direction in which it faces, and the height of the building, and are strongly affected by the prevailing wind.”12 heat and sound, dam protection and air tightness, screens, glare pro-tection, fire protection, impact resistance fall protection, burglar resistance are all of the window needs they have to achieve for being able to be functional. Some of these protective functions are achieve by form of the opening and control devices. the form of an openings as in the chapter form, explains the


18 Window seen from

inside, with burglary

protections light and

permeability. San

Gabriel Ixtla, Mexico.

19 Window seen from

outside, with an acces

by the controling of the

functions. San Gabriel

Ixtla, Mexico.

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function on protective reasons, light permeability, ventilation capacity and degree of view towards the outside and inside.

“the aperture size affects not just the degree of view through the opening and contact with the out-side world, but above all the light possibilities and the direct use of solar energy.”13

This classification will give and over view of the different protective functions of a window and con-trol devices. this can bee seen as a dressing act of the object window to understand the aspects given by the performance that it wants to achieve.

Protective functionsSound and heat protection

Sound: “vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person’s or animal’s ear”14

Heat: “the quality of being hot; high temperature. –hot weather conditions.”15 “this protection can be achieved by using special glass ( heat and sound insulation glazing) or by the

type of window construction (winter, double-glaze, box-type windows).Attention must be paid to protection against summer heat or overheating, as well to winter heat in-

sulation. this depends primarily on the size of the opening, as well as on the way the building faces.”16


20 Series of way of

opening a window.

Functions of light

permeability,

ventilation.

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Dam ProtectionDam: “a barrier, constructed to hold back water.”17

this protection is needed for not letting the water come into the building and destroy the fabric of it. it can be achieve by sealing all kind of possible water entrance from the window component and by applying an angle surface towards the outside of the building.

Air tightnessAir: “the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, a mixture mainly of oxygen and nitrogen –this substance regarded as necessary for breathing.”18

this window protective function relates to the ventilation created by the opening and the regulation of it. it depends on the size of the opening and in the components that are use for closing an opening.

Screens, glare protectionScreens: “a fixed or movable upright partition used to divide a room, to give shelter from drafts, heat, or light, or to provide concealment or privacy.”19

Glare: “stare in an angry or fierce way.”20

“Large apertures need sight screening to ensure the privacy of the space behind them. Anti glare devices are place on the interior side. they should not completely block out daylight or make visual contact impossible. Systems that can be raised from the lower edge of the opening and positioned as wished without covering the whole surface of the glass are particularly suitable.”21


21 Window of a plane

, with the function

of protecting from

the air tightness and

water condiction of the

atmospher. Swiss air

lines.

22Window with glare

protection ask to be

remove when the plane

is about the take off

for security conditions.

Swiss air lines.

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Fire protectionFire: “combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke.”22

“Fire must not be allowed to break out in buildings, but if it does, the fire must not allow to spread. Fires can spread via apertures from room to room, and from story to story. windows frames and glazing are subject to fire protection requirements to limit fire spread. These have to be met by the frame materi-als and the glazing selected.”23

Light permeabilityLight: “the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.”24

by controlling the amount of light passing trough an opening, you not only emphasize the visual link to the outside but the light projects into the space the image of the outside in relation to the light move-ment. this protective function is achieved by the size of the opening or additional component such as shutters or tainted glass.


21 Window with

shutter to control the

light permeability.

Amsterdam , Holland.

22Window on a balcony

with different control

devices for vantilation,

and light permeability.

Madrid, Spain.

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Impact resistance fall protectionImpact: “The action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another. 25

The effect or influence of one person, thing, or action, on another” Fall: “move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.”26

this protection is achieved by special glass of additional retention structures necessary. this type of windows is commonly seen in case of story-high glazing in particular (shop windows, panoramic panes).

Burglary resistanceBurglary: “entry into a building illegally with intent to commit a crime.”27

“Easily accessible areas of the exterior wall (ground floors or windows linked by rendered balconies) usually need special measures for protection against burglary. windows and glazed doors are at risk from being opened by simple prying tools, as normal window fitting are not burglar-proof, protection against break-ins can be improved by installing a matching overall structure to resist burglars (frame complete with opening element, fittings and glazing), or buy using safety window grilles or opening devices.”28 ...

All this protective functions meet the same elements to be able to control and achieve their functions. the windows have to achieve different jobs for controlling the external natural behaviours. these con-trols are attained by control devices such as: Shutter, fences and closing devices. This controls are de-vices to ensure the performance of the windows functions.


23 Window with non

movable fence for

burglary resistance.

Amsterdam, Holland.

24Window with non

movable fence for

burglary resistance.

Edinbrug, Scotland.

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Control devicesShutters

“Are added to apertures for planned manual or mechanical control for climate and weather effects on the space. Structural devices like this can be used to regulate the degree of permeability and thus air quality, as well as the temperature and moisture levels between indoors and out space.”29 this control devise is use also in photography for the exposure of the image, they are use to regulate the permeability of light. in some buildings when they have their shutters close, there are some holes on the shutter that create the camera obscura effect on the room.

Fences“a barrier, railing, or other upright structure, typically of wood or wire, enclosing an area of ground to mark a boundary, control access, or prevent escape.”30

these control devices can be also used for burglar resistance, impact resistance. Some of them are combined with the shutters to have multifunctional states of a window. in some windows the fences give a perception of the culture of the window by a decorative pattern that may represent a culture. in other cases such as in prisons the fences are use act as prevention for escaping.

Curtains“a piece of material suspended at the top to form a covering or screen, typically one of a pair at a window.”31 this control devices are use to ensure the privacy of a space. depending on the material it also can be use to control de light permeability of a space. “a screen of heavy cloth or other material that can be raised or lowered at the front of a stage.”32 With this extra definition, the curtain stands as a function on the performance of a window. it is the control device to the stage of the space.


25 Shutter for windows

in a facade. Cadro

Swidzerland.

26 Fence of a window

giving a perception of

the arabic culture by

the decorative paterns.

Marrakech, Marroc.

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the control devices are components of a window to ensure the function of a window on the terms of the protective function. these control devices need some components for being able to operate correctly.

Closing ComponentsThis category, are the components required for fixing, operate and secure a window into a position. For example; hinges, handles, pulleys and locks. These components on construction language are called the hardware of a window.

Hinge“a movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings as it opens and closes, or that con-nects linked objects.”33

this is a common component on a control device that makes the movable function of a window to be open or close. it is commonly seen on the shutters and in windows that have the function of ventilation.

Handles “feel or manipulate with the hands. –Drive or control.”34

the handle is the component of a control device on a window, that gives the user the possibility of movement of the window to be open and close. this component usually has different forms for the load of the window opening (pulleys) and lock of the position when is close or open.


27 Handle for opening a

window. Madrid, Spain.

28 Hinge of a window

to control the movement

of the window. Dessau,

Germany.

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Pulley “a wheel with a grooved rim around which a cord passes. it acts to change the direction of a force ap-plied to the cord and is chiefly used (typically in combination) to raise heavy weights.”35 this mechanism for raising heavy weight is found in big openings that need small input of action to be open and close. there is a good example with the windows of the bauhaus school building, which uses this pulley to open a series of openings in the façade, all at the same time.

Lock “a mechanism for keeping a door, lid, etc., fastened, typically operated only by a key of a particular form.”36

these control devices have a beauty on the thought of detail of a window. Some of them are incor-porated to the window or shutter and others are incorporated to the wall. they are small control devices that enable the performance of the windows function into a correct position.

These functions and control devices give the window a specific use and as seen in the chapter form, create a social and public aspect in the perception of the window. the functions of the window are extra qualities applied to this empty space of a wall or a surface to fulfil the demands of the performance of the space. All window s’ functions and needs converge in one point: make the interiors spaces useful.


29 lock of a window to

enable the performance

of the window function

into a correct position.

Madrid, Spain.

30 Series of windows

open by same sistem

for closing “pulley”.

Dessau, Germany.

31 Sistem of a pulley to

open a window.

Dessau, Germany.

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d. Uses

As seen in the previous chapter function and need converge in one point, making the interior space useful. In this classification the use of the window will be approached on its terms of perception by the appearance of the building statement or performance as “a building component for closing off and opening.”37 Windows are a component of a building for different special qualities and uses. On a techni-cal approach “the light permeability of the opening promotes visual links between inside and outside, and also admits daylight into the interior. the position and size of the opening is a key element in the design of the interior.”38 As seen in the chapter Form the use of the window is the appearance of a build-ing ‘s meaning and reflects the use of it, form to protect from the outside, until to let the inside transpar-ent. the protection is achieved when the opening function is able to control the connection of inside and outside, above and below keeping each system apart from each other. the use of a window for an architect is to control the differences of quality of the relation of human and nature. And by doing so creating a language that is promoted by the visual links between inside and outside.

Example of window:

32 Windows in a

facade in Liguria to

demostrated richness

from the see. Camogli,

Italy.

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“Vitruvius identified the origins of architecture with the origins of language. In a moving passage that recreates the beginning of humanity, this roman writer describes how some thickly crowded trees, tossed around by storms and winds and rubbing their braches against one another, caught fire. Men first ran away like animals, terrified by the furry of the blaze. Eventually they approached the quieter fire and realized that it kept them warm. They subsequently added more wood to the fire and learned to keep it going. As a result of this social event, they stayed together and uttered their first words, learning to name the reconciliatory act that had kept them alive. with this initial poetic meaning came the poesies of architecture, the possibility of making.”39

with this, in my point of view architects also use the window to create a language. not only in the design of the window in terms of form and function but by use of reading or perception of a building. Perception: “the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.”40 this classi-fication exposes four types of windows that their use on the perception create a language to understand our position and the routine of the building.

Example of window:

33 Window reflecting the

possibility of perception

and performance of

the space. Dessau,

Germany.

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34 35

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behind the window

Fake windows or Tromp L´oeil “is an art technique involving extremely realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects appear in three dimensions, instead of actually being a two-dimensional painting.”41 there are buildings in the coast of Liguria (italy) that have parts of their façades painted with fake windows. The use of this fake windows or tromp l´oeil technique, is related to the sentence of emptiness make it useful.

“We shape a beautiful pottery; only the hole inside makes it useful.we build solids walls, but the door and window ’s empty space makes them useful.”42 by painting these fake windows the towns looks like if its full of people and it is not a good place for

hiding or attacking. the perception given by the interpretation of an external stimulus (the painting of a window) creates a general understanding of occupancy.

Block windows“an obstacle to the normal progress or functioning of something.”43

there are buildings that have covered the windows with rock, bricks or other materials to enable the original use of the window and creating a revolutionary aspect of the building on the term of its perfor-mance. The squatters in Amsterdam usually cover the windows with wood panels or metal fences; this is use for not letting the police brake in. this is a different way of understanding of occupancy.

Shop windowsthe other way around happens with store windows, they emphasize the use of the window for letting see what is for sell and attract the consumer into the building. this windows act as open theatres for the consumer eyes. “windows are the high street theatres, people walking in the street are the audience.


34 Tromp L’oeil

generating an

understanding of

occupancy. Camogli,

Italy.

35 Block window

creating a revolutionary

aspect of the building

and different way

of understanding of

occupancy. Madrid,

Spain.

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36

49

behind the window

First they seduce passers by, they look and stop, becoming spectators, which makes them go in and buy, becoming customers. there is a clear link established between commerce and art. Shop windows represent how marketing and advertisement push art and design to be better.”44 in this type of window the use is accentuate to give understanding to the performance on the interior. the perception is clear in relation to the function, it also represents a type of occupancy.

Container windowsin a storage building or containers we usually see no windows, because the objects being stored do not need daylight, or needs to be protected from the view of curios people. the use in this type of buildings or spaces is given by the lack of windows.

the use of windows plays with the perception on the performance of the building. it lets the viewer realize his position on the place and understand the performance of the interiors space. the use is a creation of space by the perception of the same. we create space through windows but have we created windows through space?

Example of window:

36 Block window

in Squated building

creating an

understanding of

occupancy. Amsterdam,

Holland.

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37 38

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behind the window

e. Places

This classification is for uncovering the different places that we find the windows. This will expose the awareness of the performance of the window. We can find by this classification different external uses of the window as creation of versatile spaces such as balconies and patios. Also this classification seeks the windows in spaces for transportation and the creation of different shaped components of a window such as rounded glass for corner windows.

Patios“a paved outdoor area adjoining a house.–a roofless inner courtyard in a Spanish or Spanish-Ameri-can house.”45

windows can be components of a building as openings created by the construction of spaces. A good example is the dutch housing blocs courtyard, they create a common space for particular gardens. All of these blocs have a common window that is created by the measurements of the houses in regulation of depth and height. These spaces admit day light and gather the qualities for courtyard garden. These are window created by the urban design.


37 Window created by

the construction of a

space. The patio of a

house in Marroco.

Marrakech, Marroc.

38 Window created

by the construction

of a space. Patio of a

french courtyard. Paris,

France.

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behind the window

Roof“the structure forming the upper covering of a building or vehicle. –the top inner surface of a covered area or space; the ceiling.”46

There are other spaces that cover these openings with glass, mostly we find this windows on parking buildings or attics. This addition of components such as glass is only to control from the natural quali-ties making this spaces for different uses. Parking buildings need some light for the user to see his way; instead of using artificial light they create this openings on the roof covering them with glass to protect the cars from the rain and to admit the natural light.

Attics have a different function; some of them are use for living some for storing. In history the at-tics have been made for storing grains until accommodate the services of a big house. these spaces are small in height and usually windows are added to the roof, by doing this openings, size of the opening is considerable for the performance of the roof, this meaning they are not that big.

Corner“a place or angle where two or more sides or edges meet.–a place where two streets meet.”47

Corner windows are the windows that do not miss the escaper. “…is just around the corner.”48 For me this windows refer to the capacity of human need for having point of view from all corners. A cube has six walls, if this six walls have a window on them of the same size we will miss the transition of a person walking around that cube, from one wall to the other. the corner windows talks about the unconscious movement of an outside performance. It acts as the same of a window on a wall but receives a quicker view of a hiding spot. this window has develop the form of the glass, creating a round glass that breaks the 90 degrees angle, breaking the hidings spot by adding bigger space on an angle.


39 Roof Window

created to admit day

light into a parking lot.

Amsterdam, Holland.

38 Round glass Window

creating a higer degree

of perception on a

corner of a building.

Amsterdam, Holland.

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41 42

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behind the window

Transport“take or carry (people or goods) from one place to another by means of a vehicle, aircraft, or ship.”49

Windows in transport; there are different window for train, cars, boats, metros. Most of this windows that are in public transport are use for people to graffiti on them but the normal use of it is for letting the inside users perceive the changing position of them self. windows act as perception points of changing. For the conductor of a plane needs a good window that dose not transform the reality of the outside so he can make its manoeuvres with out crashing the plane against something “real”. the same happens with cars, metros, boats, as they are mean of transportation the protection is related to the perception of the movement of the persons or objects been transported. We find windows in this transportation mainly for persons. in trucks they have a container that mostly dose not have windows.

Doors“a hinged, sliding, or revolving barrier at the entrance to a building, room, or vehicle, or in the frame-work of a cupboard.–figurative a means of access, admission, or exit; a means to a specified end.”50

window in doors are the component of a door to specify the meaning of a open end. they improve the means of a door by opening a relation to the entrance and end. they have a purpose of observation and protection from the oncoming guest. this friction between close meaning and opening is a way of representing who you are. there are doors completely made of glass and doors with out openings. but is interesting to see that the original protective function of an opening (to protect from the stranger) is still apply in all types of buildings by this windows on a door.


41 Train window letting

the user perceive the

changing position of the

veicle and them selfs.

NS Train company,

Holland

42 Door window

for observing and

protection from the

oncoming guest.

Amsterdam, Holland.

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43

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Balconies“a plataform encloced by a wall or balustrade on the outside of a building, with access from an upper-

floor window or door.”51

A window in this case is the entrance to a stage. the balcony is a versatil spaces created to expand the use of the window in terms of sight and space. it’s a creation of tow private spaces. i think the balconies are spaces coming from the sames perfrormance of observation of our surroundings, expanded to a cer-tain point to creat an other special space to develop the performance of sight or admiration. balconies are used in the theaters to see a play and in builidings to enjoy the routine of every day life.

Spaces create windows as windows create spaces in the meaning of their use, needs functions and perceptions. this has created a framework of language of our surroundings and the spaces them self have been develop by the use of the window. this spaces have give us emotions that we relate to the building and surroundings, this emotions have been given by the language of the window and space.

Example of window:

43 Window on a

Balcony, space created

for the observation of

the performance of the

street. Madrid, Spain.

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45

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behind the window

f. emotion

“a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.–instinctive or intuitive feeling as distinguished from reasoning or knowledge.”52

emotions are created by the language of the window. As windows are the perception access to the changing events in and out of a building. but emotions are also created by the looks in sizes and materi-als use to make the opening. For this classification I would like to represent the emotions by the instinc-tive or intuitive feelings situation i have been by taking the pictures.

Example of window:

45 Project of a Window

Gerrit Rietveld Academy

2008. Representation

of the reflection of the

window. Amsterdam,

Holland.

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46

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behind the window

this relates to my project i did tow years ago. it consisted on creating a window on a container. For this project i started going into the city and taking as much window pictures as possible. the fascination I started having was being reflected in all the window pictures. This fascination was the mirroring effect that created a relationship of the building with its surroundings. the emotion this created on me was the same as seeing your self in a mirror, the emotion of joy you get of existence. this emotion can be confused with vanity but what I was intrigued with was the deconstruction of the reflection on the glass of the window, the knowledge of an abstract existence. what i did is emphasize this effect by creating movable frame window, that changed the position of the glass elements on it and so like that the build-ing would act as a universal receiver. this changing of position creates a motion on the mirror effect and thus establishes different circumstances and relationships with the outside and inside. this gives the emotion of multiple states of being and the enjoyment of such by the representation of one self. other emotions can be found on a state of a window such as, fear, joy or suspense. these are just tree emotions that relate to my thesis to explain the reaction i have towards the window.

Example of window:

46 Project of a Window

Gerrit Rietveld

Academy 2008, model.

Deconstruction of the

reflection on the glass of

the window. Amsterdam,

Holland.

62

47

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behind the window

FearAn other emotion, when confronted to a window we stand in front to a visual link into privacy and public. this window for me represents a fear of the outside, a statement of close. the mirroring effect in this opening occurs only on the top of the window and the opening is covered with different functions. the metal fence in this window block the entrance from the outside and the escape from the inside. it is not a window of a prison, is a window found in a small street in Madrid (Ponzano) from a convent. All the functions of shutters and openings of the windows are to be use for the inside and when confronted to the outside the metal fence stops them. this emotion is created by the functions of the window. windows can create a fear towards the statement of a building and establish a lack of knowledge of our position. This fear can create courage on the fact of fighting the unknown and finding new openings and meanings of a window.

Example of window:

47 Window of a convent

with the posibility of

beein functional from

the insie and block from

the outside. Amsterdam,

Holland.

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48

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behind the window

JoyIn a 4 story-high building I found one window on the 3 floor, It was a nice sunny day in April. The loca-tion was in a canal in the centre of Amsterdam. there was a couple enjoying the sun with their body hid-den in their room and their head looking outside. there was no need for an external space as a balcony or a terrace to create this felling. it was a window for enjoying. with this found emotion it represents the component of the building as a source of pleasure. the theme of the window can play the roll of excite-ment to understand and building and the thrill of its use. Example of window:

48 Window of a house.

Where to people are

enjoying the sun of

april. Amsterdam,

Holland.

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49

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behind the window

SuspenseAs in the film of suspense there is a point on uncertainty where you don’t know what is happening but you feel you have a clue. For me this window represents the same as in suspense films. It blocs the visual link to the inside but still you know that the people that are inside may see you. it gives you a clue of what is happening on the background of the building but still lives you a doubt about the true perfor-mances that are occurring inside. Suspense in this thesis is the clue i would like to give to my self and to the reader to get involve into their notion of our position in this world. the suspense that a window can relate to the existence of new ways of seeing a window and designing one.

Example of window:

49 Windows in a

building with a glare

protection to block the

view from the outside

and let the inside user

the possibility to look

outside. Amsterdam,

Holland.

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50

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g. effects

the effects are the sum of what a window can do into a space and to our perception of it. As the meaning of effect: “used to refer to the state of being or becoming operative.”53 We can analyze in this classifica-tion the process of what is hapening because of a window. This classification wants to analyze the win-dows on the cathedrals, old buildings and the camera obscura. Some effects of reflection and colour are involved into this window. when you walk around a cathedral you seem not to recognize the windows and the walls, just because the windows are paintings and the wall have different colours created by the erosion of the material. when you enter a cathedral suddenly the space is illuminated with different colours. the painting creates the colours on the windows. when natural light brakes in, it colorizes the interior of the cathedrals. this is achieved by a leaded and colour glass that is handcraft. this leaded glass is commonly used on cathedrals and old buildings. they represent a way of framing the outside and the inside. For the camera obscura effect, is needed a small opening in relation to the space. this opening control the amount of light that travels through and projects the forms and colours of what is happening out side the space. this effects are involve in all the windows as they all are openings that want to link in different senses what is happening in the outside. this effects are the ones we see from the inside of a building but other effects occur on the out side wile looking to a window.

Example of window:

50 Window of a

cathedral, look from

inside with colour glass

that iluminate the space

with different colours.

Edinbrug, Scotland.

70

51 52

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behind the window

The effect on old building windows is the deconstruction of a reflection. The erosion of the glass makes this, that by the time (the liquid acts with the gravity) changing the smooth surface of glass and by doing so each element of glass on an opening reflects different points of the outside.

For example a old leaded window made with different elements of glass, is standing in front of a tree, the reflections of that tree on the window will be decompose in several trees. This effect suggests the framing of a window as a universal perception of the outside and inside. Something that one glass window will only have one point of view and one mirror effect. in this case the window acts as the per-formance of a universal point of view. the effects of the windows are the conclusion of their creation, not only by the visual senses but by their means of existence and representations of a space.

Example of window:

51 Leaded Glass

window, creating

the effect of multiple

reflections of the

surounding. Edinbrug,

Scotland.

52 Leaded Glass

window creating the

effect of multiple

relfections of the

surroundings. Milan,

Italy.

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53

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behind the window

3 / Conclusion

windows are openings for different purposes. they represent our present and our past by the perception on the surroundings. As points of view that create a visual link to the performance of nature and human life. they are objects of admiration and points of observation by which we understand our space. the way they are design, by form, use and functions they represent recognition on history facts and needs. they are links of architectural poesy to interpret social behaviour. Components of architectural narra-tion; to seek the emotions created by the performance of the building and it surroundings.

but i steel think that windows are “components for closing an opening” they are the borders of ar-chitecture, the illusion of representation by which they create a whole understanding of a space. they are the restrictions to generate utility of spaces. because of the windows we are able to control the perception of a space.

Example of window:

53 Window looking to

the openings made by

the clouds. Camogli,

Italy.

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54 55

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behind the window

What can I do with this?

As mentioned in page 3 on definition of window “something that makes it possible for you to see and learn about a situation or experience that is different from your own” i started thinking in how could we understand the window with a different employ that we are use to. By having understood the significa-tion of a window and to relate the window of the eye, ones own point of view, with the window of a building and its illusion of perception we might create different kind of openings. For me an aperture that transforms the reality of the outside bringing it inside upside down would be the perfect representa-tion of an self perception on the present social behaviours. this combined into architecture will recreate the space of a camera obscura.

In this point my conclusion relates to one of my final projects of the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, the Camara obscura. this is a project about space, perception and illusion, where light is a medium for obtaining the illusory effect and is not as subjective to the effects of it in a living space. So the function of light permeability in a window is used and shaped to project the outside performance of a building, inside the space. wants to be a experimental project where camera obscura concept is explore in its many possibilities. Think like an inner space that reflects a “world” outside. This brings me closer to the world of optics, perception and the “performance” art. therefore my goal is not necessarily to reach a multifunctional space and / or common housing. it’s a project to represent a general self point of view

Example of window:

54 55 Window creating

the camera obscura

effect. The projecton of

colours on the wall is

made by the aperture

in the space . The sky

in the botom of the wall

is blue, the trees in the

midle of the wall is

green, the blue of the

pool on the top of the

wall is blue.

San Gabriel Ixtla,

Mexico.

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53

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behind the window

of the world outside of us. this is obtained not only by the physical limitation of a window, but by the illusory effect that brings the outside inside, upside down.

because of this, it can be applied for an ephemeral space like it could be a stand for fair and / or exposition or be a project itself as a performance, depending on where i want or can do with it. there are many possible application, from architectural design, a space to contain this illusory effect designed expressly for this purpose, until intervene on existing structures, specifically in their windows and gaps space or to give new meaning at the actual fashion of covering whole buildings (spectacular advertising) , and so creating an area of contemplation on a thought of the world. this connects me to a kids song in which the reality of “the world upside down” is that what we live and not what we imagine …

Example of window:

53 Camera obscura

projection of a drawing

on a space. Museum of

Cinema, Torino, Italy.

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54

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behind the window

“once upon a time

once upon a timethere was a good wolfwho was abusedFrom all lambs.

And there was alsoAn evil prince,A beautiful witchAnd a honest pirate.

All these thingsonce upon a time.when i was dreamingthe world upside down.”54

by being behind the window i understood the objective of the window for imagining, perceiving and controlling different realities. we can achieve an understanding of the world and delimitated where it starts, ends and continues. Meaning the window as a component to create contemplation of our own world.

Example of window:

54 Small opening of a

building, for ventilation

and protection from the

sun. Ouarsazat, Marroc.

80

55

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behind the window

4 / Sources and Bibliography

– Personal photographic work

– Deplazes A. and SoÅNffker, G. H. (2009). Constructing Architecture. Materials processes structures, Verlag BirkhaÅNuser, Germany.– Juracek, J. A. (1996). Architectural Surfaces Details for architects, Designers and artist.thames & hudson editions, London.– Kippner, R. and Musso, F. (2007). Basic Façade apertures, Verlag BirkhaÅNuser, Germany.– Wurman, R.S. (2001) Angustia Informativa, Pearson Educaciòn, Buenos Aires.– Courtecuisse, C. (2004) Dis moi le design, Editions Sept, Isthme editions, Paris.– Apple Dictionary. – http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=90748&dict=CALD.

Example of window:

55 Window, a space

for talking behind the

window. Ouarsazat,

Marroc.

82

1 wurman, R.S. (2001) Angustia informativa, Pearson educación, buenos Aires.2 Courtecuisse, C, op. c., p. 11.3http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=90748&dict=CALD.4 op.c. p. 51.5 deplazes A. and Söffker, G. h. (2009). Constructing architecture. Materials Processes Structures, Verlag birkhäuser, Germany.6 Proverb, orgin in the bible 58 to 68 A.d. Matthew 6 22-23.7 Kahlil Gibran, Lebanon Poet, 1883-1931.8 billy wilder, Movies director, 1906-2002.9 Lao tzu, Chinese philosopher from iV Century before J.C.10 P. 84 (101 things i learned in architecture school/ two Points of View in architecture/ Matthew Frederick).11 basic Façade apertures/ Roland Kippner, Florian Musso/ birkhäuser.12 basic Façade apertures/ Roland Kippner, Florian Musso/ birkhäuser.13 basic Façade apertures/ Roland Kippner, Florian Musso/ birkhäuser.14 Sound; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).15 Heat; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).16 basic Façade apertures/ Roland kippner, Florian Musso/ birkhäuser.17 Dam; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).18 Air; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).19 Screens; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).20 Glare; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).

5 / Foot notes

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21 basic Façade apertures/ Roland kippner, Florian Musso/ birkhäuser.22 Fire; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).23 basic Façade apertures/ Roland kippner, Florian Musso/ birkhäuser.24 Light; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).25 Impact; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).26 Fall; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).27 Burglary; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).28 basic Façade apertures/ Roland kippner, Florian Musso/ birkhäuser.29 basic Façade apertures/ Roland kippner, Florian Musso/ birkhäuser.30 Fence; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4)31 Curtain; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4). 32 The curtain; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).33 Hinge; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).34 Handle; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).35 Pulley; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).36 Lock; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).37 Materials processes structures Andrea deplazes (ed.) birkhäuser/ opening and windows.38 Materials processes structures Andrea deplazes (ed.) birkhäuser/ opening and windows.39 Questions of perception Phenomenology of architecture Steven holl Juhani Pallasmaa Alberto Pérez-Gómez william Stout Publishers, / The space of architecture: Meaning as presence and representation.40 Perception; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).

41 Tromp L´oeil; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).42 Lao tzu Chinese philosopher from iV Century before J.C.43 Block; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).44 diana Cerrada / windows display design in Asmterdam / thesis 2008-2009 GRA.45 Patios; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).46 Roof; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).47 Corner; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4). 48 Sentence used for explaining that something is close to where we are.49 Transport; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).50 Doors; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).51 Balconies; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).52 Emotion; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).53 Effects; Apple Dictionary, Version 2.0.2 (51.4).54 Song, once upon a time by José Agustín Goytisolo.

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Behind The Window

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