Designing an interior space deals with redefining existing structural elements as well as incorporating new elements in the same space. Door and Window are two such openings in space which relate to access of Air, Light and Users of space. The door is the only element used for the passage of humans, furniture, and everything else.
A window is a puncture in a wall to welcome natural light and fresh air inside the space. Both the elements are important features of a structure. They serve not only entry and exit but they shape the aesthetics of a building, functionality, co-relation with outdoors, flow of air and inlet for natural light. Some of the best design colleges in Nashik offer futuristic programs in interior design to help students understand these concepts in detail. Let us further explore the impact of doors and windows on space.
Door
A movable panel of vertical and horizontal members installed on a puncture of the wall made to give access to a space, room, building or a complex is what is called a door in technical terms. It can swing, fold, slide, roll or revolve. It is one of those basic architectural elements which gives the idea of completeness to space. But its crude use by primitive man was done by simply putting a hurdle at an opening and keeping it aside and back in position.
The concept of designing a door came up with the need to put a barrier at the mouth of caves for security from animals in the Stone Age period. Later, with the evolution of man it became an integral part of living for privacy. It was just a barrier made up of available materials like stone, wood and leaves.
With the development of the human mind, intellect and civilisation the requirements and design changed. Spiked gates were put around the boundaries to protect crops from giant animals. The addition of shutters made it easy to close narrow passages. Stone doors were used at the entrance of forts for defense. Doors became gateways to give the idea of entrance into a province. From giving access to a single person with controlled size to enhancing it with various designs, styles and functions, the door has gained capacity to be acknowledged alone. Then designed as a necessity later has been used as a symbol of glory.
Experience of a Door in a space
Doors designed as a guide of conveyance offer a sense of change physically and mentally. The feeling of excitement while entering a space could be at its peak on the threshold of a door. But when the same door acts as a point of departure its notional response changes. While a separate entry and exit could leave the impression of arrival and departure at two different nodes. A loop completed through one door brings back to the same space with the experience of inner space. And a journey from different doors is as good as experiencing different realms one after another.
Window
A cutout or opening in the wall of a building made for passage of light and air is often used as architectural decoration. An articulated piece made of wood making its statement in the exterior is the impression of windows in palaces, bungalows, mansions, etc. Initially the openings were closed by stone slates, thatch, or wood. The natural openings of caves were covered by available materials Window as an element was not discovered in the Stone Age period. Traces of windows are found in Harappan houses. Later to maintain protection and to allow light inside, small openings were planned in huts, covered by woven mats, animal skin and wood. Earlier the frames were made in wooden and the limitation of height gave a platform to the artist to carve it.
Load bearing construction limits the size of windows, which has its own characteristics. The size is highly dependent upon type of construction, type of material used, and climatic conditions of the area. As per regions and skills of carpenters, variety is seen in articulation of windows. Local wood available and cultural representations are seen in carvings.
The most beautiful rose window on Notre Dame Cathedral is an example of celebration of a simple element. The use of Jharokha by royal women to see the outside world without being seen themselves was adapted in Rajput Architecture. The connection of indoor space with the outdoors is traced in history.
The modern window is composed of a metal frame and glass. The height of the window and use of glass allows the user to experience more than just a view. Large windows placed strategically can help to expand the interiors into the exterior. Window arrangement becomes the key factor in small scale spaces or in spaces of congested areas. Glass windows in these situations invite light into the space
Experience of a Window in a space
The shape and character of the windows play an important role in the structure. While observing the structure from the exterior the character depends upon its shape, material, appearance and position on the wall. But experiencing the window from inside any space corresponds with the furniture in interior space, the passage of air through it and impact of passing light through the window. These attributes change the perception of design for a designer. The quality and quantity of light that comes through windows, air flow and view develop the personality of the space. They play a role in the eyes of the building offering views and connections. The interaction of internal space and the outside world is only possible through windows. This architectural void enhances the exterior face of a building. Any lane, colony or street can interact with people passing through openings.
Conclusion
The door justifies the entry and exit point of a structure as it acts as a face of the building. While the window gives the opportunity to the user to expand into the exteriors. The height of both the elements drastically changes the experience for the user. Variation in height decides the characteristics of the element like grandeur, connection, invitation, etc.
For any space, the door and window is often called its life. Furniture layout is dependent upon place of openings and orientation of openings is dependent upon sun path and wind path. Both the fundamental elements play a vital role in designing the character of the space. You can pursue a Bachelor of Design in Space and Interior Design for further understanding of these concepts and build a thriving career in interior designing.