Chris d Craiker
Some architectural elements are fixed in a time capsule: distinct to an era or style. For example, round top windows would be very 80ish or tile countertops……pre-70ish. Some architecture styles come and go with different trends. I have not designed a house in years with bay windows until a recent client asked me to include one or two in their new living room design. At first, I felt that was too old-fashioned, but I then I thought it would be a good opportunity to do some research and see how that could fit in our contemporary modern designs.
Where did bay windows come from? The extended structure element has its roots in the 17th and 18th centuries Britian as an architectural feature called an oriel, which began to appear in elite homes and castles. In American architecture, prime examples of bay windows are found in Chicago-style bungalows and San Francisco's Italianate homes.
Why they are called “bay” has nothing to do with San Francisco Bay but actually comes from the old French word 'baee', which means opening or hole. Bay windows are a combination of three or more windows which extend out beyond an exterior wall in a square, diamond-shape or hexagonal shape. They typically consist of a large central picture window with two smaller, often operable, windows on either side. Their cousin the bow window is curved, containing four to six glass sections of equal size. Both create a prism or jewel on a building and an expansion of the interior space.
Architects and designers always desire to make every a room feel bigger. A lot of that magic can be done with windows. Having a taller ceiling helps but without tall windows, clerestories or skylights a tall room or space loses its advantage. In narrow homes or townhouses bay windows can increase the surface area of the exterior wall and increase natural ventilation and lighting to enter the interior. Bay windows can make any interior room look more spacious.
A bay window can also be an excellent piece of furniture when equipped with a raised seat and cushions. The preferred depth should fall somewhere between 17 and 24 inches, especially if one intends to take an occasional catnap.
Which takes us back to the original question: lost in time or timeless? The extended bay window is a perfect example of how to transition from traditional architectural character to a modern, perhaps edgy, look. Built-in millwork with integrated storage is a great way to make use of the extra footage that a bay window provides. A plush cushion and a few throw pillows make this an excellent place to sit, relax and contemplate.
Chris d Craiker AIA/NCARB Loves to sit in a Bay Window and read the Napa Valley Register
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