Why have one window, when you can have lots of windows?

Large spans of glass have long been popular in commercial architecture, but lately, a shift seems to be occurring. Commercial façades are embracing smaller, more compact windows, in larger quantities. Scattered formally or informally across large façades, this new style of external window design is starting to become quite the architectural trend.

Potentially, the rising popularity of smaller windows in large quantities is the result of attempts to meet increasing energy requirements. Alternatively, it may also be the result of more and more architects looking to challenge façade expectations. Dotted windows in different sizes scattered across external building faces, teaches us to not expect uniform aesthetic, it teaches us to appreciate beauty found in random pattern and it encourages us to accept new design concepts.

Last year EDGE Architectural’s double glazed MAX™ frames were specified and installed on The University of Melbourne’s School of Design. Across the south façade EDGE frames were arranged in random configurations to teach the building’s future students that uniformity is not always necessary for successful design. John Wardle Architects and NADAAA challenged expectations and traditional institutional façade concepts with their design. Globally, several other designers have joined John Wardle Architects and NADAAA in exploring the effect of multiple window façades, here are some of our favourites …

Habitat 15, Hollywood Hills – Predock Frane Architects

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(Image: Contemporist)

Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, Greenwich Peninsula – Foreign Office Architects

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(Image: ChoseandBuild)

Umea School of Architecture, Sweden by Henning Larsen Architects

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(Image: MilimetDesign)

23 Dwellings, Bethune, France – Fres Architects

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(Image: OpenBuildings)