...or, of course, a window surrounded by custom bookcases, but we prefer to see it the other way. This design really evokes a moment in time for us — when we've just finished a book and are looking for a new one, and casually glance (in our case, to the side) out of the window. But the house this shelf/window is part of is even more unique...
This is pretty great but it would have been cooler if they could have aligned the grid of the window panes with that of the surrounding bookcases.
view 1GH's profile
Nearly all Hugh Newell Jacobsen houses are like this.
His reportoire consists almost exclusively of perfectly symmetric clustered pavillions making a whole, 12:12 roof pitch, stark-white exteriors and interiors, central fireplace masses facing a central-rear living room with a wall of windows at the back, gridded built-in bookcases, an absence of eaves & interior trim with clapboard siding, relatively small 9-paned or 6-over-9 windows with no shutters and minimal exterior trim...
view bepsf's profile
"...it would have been cooler if they could have aligned the grid of the window panes with that of the surrounding bookcases."
They are aligned when viewed from dead-on.
The photo was taken at an angle to the window.
view bepsf's profile
Very cool.
view LilyC's profile
The first pic is cool, but it seems like so much useless space with all the hallways. In general, I think hallways are useless space. And those front rooms would not get much light which makes reading difficult. I prefer to read by natural light which seems easier on my eyes.
view mntwmyn 's profile
Nice! I really like that room. The facade seems like a movie set for a serial killer flick! Too austere and "pure" by half!
The hallways are probably light wells as well as passages (all those second story windows) and probably have a sort of ceremonial effect within the house. They permit the unusual room arrangement, too. I don't think they are "wasted".
view SherryBinNH's profile
Yeah, this is great. Makes me wish I had a similar little window just to try it myself. God knows I have enough books.
view rosenatti's profile
Thought that had to be his. Those bookcases are one of his hallmarks.
view pvett's profile
The bookcase is beautiful. But the house looks like a Robert Venturi mess.
view Comicgeek's profile
I can always tell his houses. The hallways are often used to display are and when you are in the houses help to break up all the squares and spaces. The houses look really great in the Northeast with the folliage and the lines of the colonial houses.
view TheoJ's profile
I totally love the design of the house, but not sure about drowning out the light of a window with books.
view baileyb's profile
Love this.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
Those windows are bit small...
view handz's profile