At first glance, this window looks like your normal, average, everyday window. It's pretty but it doesn't look like it's holding any ground breaking secrets. We thought the same until we got up close and personal with it and low and behold, this window proved to be pretty awesome indeed. Check out the up close view to see what we mean.
When renovating this older building in the Kansas City metro area, instead of installing traditional windows (which would have required a great deal of brick work), this exterior frames were mounted to the wall.
Each window has a metal casing that bolts to the exterior brick and holds a pane of glass and a wood frame to the outside of the building. Aside from looking like the perfect napping place for a cat, this is a fun twist on making an older space feel new and fresh.
Do you love the idea or think it's bound to be drafty? Let us know in the comments below!
(Image: Sarah Rae Trover)
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Comments (12)
Simple and original, I love it !
I think that the metal frame will just conduct heat out of the building.
Also, can't wait to see those windows after a few years of condensation.
I'll bet the original windows operated, allowing fresh air inside the building--how green!
This may look great, but that's about the only good thing I can say about this.
This really isn't all that original - it's a rip-off of Sigurd Lewerentz's windows (Sweden, 50's-60's). It looks like a commercial installation, which didn't have operable windows, which is usually a disadvantage in conditioned space. It looks like insulated glazing, which with dehumidification and a mild climate should reduce any condensation - steel is also a better insulator or, really, worse conductor of heat than people realize.
As a prototype, I think this is terrific. There's no reason the window cannot be operable, and problems of heat loss and condensation can be solved by tweaking the detailing. But as a strategy for applying a new window, it's refreshing and very handsome.
looks like a great place for a flower box.
very elegant.
it's not mentioned in the article, but this is a bank building and inoperable windows may be a security requirement.
the wood should act as a thermal break, tho there are probably metal fasteners that pass through it. that would be the only problem with cold migration that I can see.
Good eye Matt :)
cool!
Love it! So, I'm guessing there must be a wee bit of flashing out of view cut into the nearest mortar joint on the top of the steel to prevent leaking? Also, seeing the small leg of the steel angle (the portion bolted through the brick wall), this seems it would allow plenty of surface area to install sealant & backer rod/ preventing leaks on the sides bottom. My only question is why I only see 1 screw on the third pic. It seems you would need another one adjacent to it to hold the interior portion of the mahogany wood window in place. I would pay money to see how this is detailed, as I'd love to 'recreate' this look here in Boston where we're surround by red brick walls (aarrgghhh!!!).
Looks like on the 1st pict there is some sort of gasket/seal/caulk joint inbetween the metal frame and the brick. that would serve as a thermal break. The bolts going through are minimal in the grand scheme of things. I too hope there is flashing above regletted into the brick.
You could easily adapt this to a fixed/operable type window too using a commercial metal tube type setup. although not nearly as minimal and clean.
awesome!
Yes, it is "borrowing" a detail of Sigurd Lewerentz's church in Sweden.