Renovating
8 Ways Designers Have Incorporated a Contemporary Oriel Window
There are plenty of reasons to consider adding one of these modern-day bays to your renovation wishlist
First off, what exactly is an oriel window? Traditionally, this kind of window would have been found on the upper storey of a building, with visible support in the form of usually stone corbels or brackets.
More recently, architects have begun using the term to describe a particular type of deep window, typically square or rectangular in shape, on any storey, that protrudes from the building, often with all four sides glazed, too.
The feature can be functional – hello window seat – or simply aesthetic, as the design makes a great ‘picture frame’ for a lovely view.
More recently, architects have begun using the term to describe a particular type of deep window, typically square or rectangular in shape, on any storey, that protrudes from the building, often with all four sides glazed, too.
The feature can be functional – hello window seat – or simply aesthetic, as the design makes a great ‘picture frame’ for a lovely view.
Introduce an angle
This sweet, not-too-large oriel window has been built to be the same height as a desk, creating an almost seamless view out to the garden and providing some non-work space on which to put, say, a potted plant.
The design also deviates from the more usual square or rectangle. To maximise the light and general effect of the window, the architects at RISE Design Studio created a shape that follows the line of the outbuilding. This is clearer in the next photo…
This sweet, not-too-large oriel window has been built to be the same height as a desk, creating an almost seamless view out to the garden and providing some non-work space on which to put, say, a potted plant.
The design also deviates from the more usual square or rectangle. To maximise the light and general effect of the window, the architects at RISE Design Studio created a shape that follows the line of the outbuilding. This is clearer in the next photo…
…where you can see the glazing from the exterior.
The designers have cleverly not let the angle reduce functionality inside, however, by building bespoke slanted shelves to follow its lines over the desk.
The designers have cleverly not let the angle reduce functionality inside, however, by building bespoke slanted shelves to follow its lines over the desk.
Connect to the garden
This window, in a London garden pavilion, was designed by Matthew Giles Architects to bring a sense of the garden into the interior of this room.
Not only does the glass on all sides give you the feeling of floating above the greenery beyond, but the project’s garden designer has also accentuated this effect by choosing low-growing foliage and bringing it as close to the window as possible.
See more of this garden pavilion that provides flexible added space.
This window, in a London garden pavilion, was designed by Matthew Giles Architects to bring a sense of the garden into the interior of this room.
Not only does the glass on all sides give you the feeling of floating above the greenery beyond, but the project’s garden designer has also accentuated this effect by choosing low-growing foliage and bringing it as close to the window as possible.
See more of this garden pavilion that provides flexible added space.
Shelve it
Here, in a room designed by Studio 1 Architects, an oriel window creates a calming aspect from the living space.
With a sofa arranged like this, the ledge is not ideal for use as a window seat, but it’s the perfect place to rest a cup or glass of something comforting and a book or newspaper, while lying back on the adjacent cushions.
The view would be particularly pleasing, as gazing out of the glass provides views up and across as well as straight out, thanks to the perpendicular panels common to this style of window.
Here, in a room designed by Studio 1 Architects, an oriel window creates a calming aspect from the living space.
With a sofa arranged like this, the ledge is not ideal for use as a window seat, but it’s the perfect place to rest a cup or glass of something comforting and a book or newspaper, while lying back on the adjacent cushions.
The view would be particularly pleasing, as gazing out of the glass provides views up and across as well as straight out, thanks to the perpendicular panels common to this style of window.
Go off-side
While many of these ideas feature a window that gives people indoors a glorious view of a garden, there are other ways to go. In this oriel, designed by EMR Architecture, the glass overlooks a side return. It’s a great way to introduce even more light if you’re opening up the back of the house with glazed doors and don’t have the space for a window like this.
In this example, the owners also find it particularly handy as a spot for restless children to retire to after a meal, while everyone else remains at the table. Kids are free to read a book or play together on the window seat, while still being spatially connected to the ongoing meal and chat.
In time, the new planting outside will cover the fence, adding a verdant outlook.
While many of these ideas feature a window that gives people indoors a glorious view of a garden, there are other ways to go. In this oriel, designed by EMR Architecture, the glass overlooks a side return. It’s a great way to introduce even more light if you’re opening up the back of the house with glazed doors and don’t have the space for a window like this.
In this example, the owners also find it particularly handy as a spot for restless children to retire to after a meal, while everyone else remains at the table. Kids are free to read a book or play together on the window seat, while still being spatially connected to the ongoing meal and chat.
In time, the new planting outside will cover the fence, adding a verdant outlook.
Add an extra seat
In a living area at the back of the house, space may be tight for fitting in a sofa as well as armchairs. Even if it’s not, this idea for a window, designed by James Dale Architects, beautifully creates an additional and spatially economical lounging spot, and one that invites you to gaze into the garden beyond and relax.
Ready to refresh your home? Check out customer reviews and project photos for architects and building designers in your area.
In a living area at the back of the house, space may be tight for fitting in a sofa as well as armchairs. Even if it’s not, this idea for a window, designed by James Dale Architects, beautifully creates an additional and spatially economical lounging spot, and one that invites you to gaze into the garden beyond and relax.
Ready to refresh your home? Check out customer reviews and project photos for architects and building designers in your area.
Raise it up
While many of the ideas featured here are situated on the ground floor of a building, this MAXLIGHT-designed window gives the feature a fresh twist.
Sitting above a lower-ground-floor window into the building’s kitchen, the oriel becomes the focal point of the rear elevation, providing a pleasing view into the house via a comfy chair and an atmospherically lit library.
The internal space, meanwhile, benefits from having its own reading zone, created by the large, 3D window, and a relaxing view not only across the garden, but also up towards the clouds and stars, thanks to the glazing, which stretches back further at the top than the bottom.
While many of the ideas featured here are situated on the ground floor of a building, this MAXLIGHT-designed window gives the feature a fresh twist.
Sitting above a lower-ground-floor window into the building’s kitchen, the oriel becomes the focal point of the rear elevation, providing a pleasing view into the house via a comfy chair and an atmospherically lit library.
The internal space, meanwhile, benefits from having its own reading zone, created by the large, 3D window, and a relaxing view not only across the garden, but also up towards the clouds and stars, thanks to the glazing, which stretches back further at the top than the bottom.
Make it multi-functional
When you’re playing with modern architecture, there can often be the freedom to make even more of an oriel window.
In this example, designed by Downs Merrifield Architects, the first floor glazing protrudes over the front door, where – clad in the same wood – it provides a visually cohesive and practical porch.
Tell us…
Is a modern oriel window something you’d consider adding to your home? If so, where would you put it? Let us know in the Comments.
When you’re playing with modern architecture, there can often be the freedom to make even more of an oriel window.
In this example, designed by Downs Merrifield Architects, the first floor glazing protrudes over the front door, where – clad in the same wood – it provides a visually cohesive and practical porch.
Tell us…
Is a modern oriel window something you’d consider adding to your home? If so, where would you put it? Let us know in the Comments.
Where lots of seating is sporadically required for a large dining table, a deep oriel window can serve a practical purpose. When guests are over, the generous overhang here provides additional bench seating for the table. When they are not, the table can shift a few inches to allow the oriel to be used for lounging with a view.
Note how the designers at Architect Your Home have also included flexible-height pendants to make this versatility more practical.
Glazing as expansive as this also creates a stunning green backdrop for those seated on the right side of the dining table.