designslinger - Word of the Week: fenestration

 
[fenestration, U.S. Post Office - Loop Station (1973) Mies van der Rohe, Chicago /Image & Artwork:
designslinger]

fenestration (fen-uh-STREY-shuhn) n. the arrangement in a building of its windows;

 
[fenestration, South Dearborn Street wall facade (19th century) Chicago; Federal Center (1975) Mies van der Rohe /Images & Artwork: designslinger]

the art of adorning or designing architecturally the exterior of a building by the proper arrangement and apportioning of windows and doors considered together as openings in the wall,

 
[fenestration, Marquette Building (1893) Holabird & Roche; 235 W.Van Buren Street (2009) Perkins & Will, /Images & Artwork: designslinger]

affording spots of darkness contrasting with the lighted surface of the wall, and also affording convenient spots for concentrating ornamentation.
Posted by designslinger at 11/19/2009 2:00 AM
Categories: Dictionary
Tags: definition
 

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  • 11/19/2009 2:38 PM jo holzer wrote:
    Your photos somehow bring to my mind the curved green glass "wall of windows" on Wacker Drive (opposite the Mart). Perhaps because it lacks any definition via windows? I do love its aspect though.
    1. 11/20/2009 5:06 AM designslinger wrote:
      It's true. By not accentuating the window openings, the choice of glass, along with emphazing the horizontal with the banding, the architects created one of the most elegant curved surfaces - ever. Think a posting about 333 Wacker may have to be in the offing. Just need some sun, it's been very overcast these days.

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