Glass creates connection to outdoors.
Large glass areas can connect us to the natural world, but they have to be used responsibly. We have tried to develop a style that uses large windows and glass doors for maximum impact, but with a minimum of increased utility costs.
Large, wood doors with glass panels can be used as both operable doors and fixed panels to form a wall of glass. This gives a sense of openness, but keeps the glass area to a minimum. By comparison, the floor to ceiling glass curtain walls seen in high rise buildings and contemporary homes use significantly more glass. The wood doors also give a warmer, more craftsman look.
Similarly, large wood windows can be grouped and located to give a maximum impact connection to the outdoors. So long as these windows are carefully shaded and properly oriented, they can be used without seriously damaging the energy performance of the house.
Also, they can reduce energy consumption by providing good ventilation. In central Texas open windows are not practical most of the time, due to the heat and humidity. But, they can reduce the length of the season when air conditioning is required. Fortunately, we don’t have very cold winters, so heating concerns are less of an issue.
The Taylor Road house faces southwest. The front side is protected from the west sun by trees, porch roof, and it has fewer windows. The rear opens to the view side – the northeast. Glass on the view side is crucial to the appeal and impact of the house. However, the morning sun can make the interior uncomfortable and costly to cool. We will need to mitigate this. Deep overhangs, propped awnings over windows, and Low-E glass will be used. The lower floor is not a concern, because of trees and porches, but we have some concerns about solar penetration on the second floor, where tree cover is not available. If this were the west side, we would have a big problem. However, the morning sun does not have as much of an impact as the afternoon sun.
The give and take between connecting to the outdoors and shielding against harsh Texas heat has been at the heart of the design process. This is where some difficult compromises have to be made.
Austin Texas Real Estate Guide
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