Why is it important to have a designed Opening?

Why is it important to have a designed Opening?

Residence  designed by Ar. Suparna Bhalla from 'Abaxial Architects'. © 2013 Debarpita Mohapatra Photography

We see many buildings with very interesting openings on their façade in various sizes, shapes and for different purposes. We see buildings with minimal or no openings like windows, ventilators and slit openings. This could have been done purposefully due to lack of space or privacy or any other reason. We also see buildings with openings all over the wall and all over the building. This requires proper understanding. Let’s start here.

There are many types of openings based on their sizes, shapes, position and their purposes. A typical window size is 1.35m (4’6”) in height by its required length of the opening. This size is for the sill height of 0.75m (2’6”) from the finished floor level. The opening can vary in size and shape by changing window and sill height, length of the window and position. An Architect can design the openings according to the need. Need can be based on privacy or comfort or architectural or user preference based on the type of building and its usage like residence, commercial, public, etc.

In any building design, façade openings play a key role in planning and designing. It helps in reaching the comfort level of the interior space both physically and visually. Openings are good source of daylight and ventilation. They influence the interior layout considerably when they are designed to the requirement. Furniture layout is planned carefully with the openings to have even distribution of daylight and vice versa. 

Influence of daylight in the interiors can be altered by playing with the opening size and shape. One can split the opening to gain maximum daylight to the dark spaces away from the opening. Light shelves are good alternative to disperse daylight for uniform distribution and light darker spaces.

Openings are a good source of ventilation in a space which can be controlled with the opening size and type. Ventilation helps in altering the interior temperature and helps reducing few degrees. We live in a warm and humid climate. It is necessary to design according to the climate. It reduces the energy consumption, increases interior comfort and reduces cost.  Due to excess solar radiation and heat gain in warm and hot climates, it is necessary to carefully place the openings on the façade. 

Excess exposure to solar radiation and heat gain in our city is a concern. Well-designed openings are a good way to go one step towards reducing the adverse effects of solar gain.

The orientation of the openings should be designed according to the orientation of the building. It is best to receive north light to more spaces as it gives good amount of indirect light. Northeast and southwest oriented openings give good ventilation as they let the prevailing wind direction to pass through the living space. 

When there is another building close by, it is best to look for privacy. Having another building by the side will alter the microclimate. An Architect looks for the best solution for the same for a good design.

Designing according to the environment is a green design. Our ancestral buildings and temples are good example. The green building certificates like GRIHA and LEED give points for the well-designed opening. Though certificates are good encouragement for the society to think green, it is our responsibility to encourage green building design for the betterment.