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9 Reasons to Bring Louvres Into Your Home
Louvres have been around from time immemorial. Here are homes that give a modern twist to an age-old architectural element
Meghna Mehta
30 January 2017
House India Contributor. An architect by education and a journalist by passion, I chose to pursue a cross-road between the two. After completing my post graduation from CEPT University, I am currently sub-editor at a leading architecture magazine and implementing my keen interests towards research, theory and its manifestations in the field of design.
House India Contributor. An architect by education and a journalist by passion, I... More
Louvres should be viewed not just as windows but as elements to be brought into facades, as fenestrations and as those that define spaces. Here are fresh approaches to incorporating them into residential spaces, to not only modulate light but to also act as an aesthetic stimulus.
1. As visual barriers
Consider using louvres to define the flow of internal spaces within the house. Instead of building walls or partitions, these can be brought in to act as light screens. In this house by SPASM, the stand-alone louvres define the entry porch and also create a semi-open space between the house and the open courtyard.
Consider using louvres to define the flow of internal spaces within the house. Instead of building walls or partitions, these can be brought in to act as light screens. In this house by SPASM, the stand-alone louvres define the entry porch and also create a semi-open space between the house and the open courtyard.
2. As facades
In this highly innovative design by Architecture Paradigm, clay tiles that rotate along a horizontal axis have been used in the facade. This interpretation of the louvres is a unique way in which tiles have been used – as a dynamic facade that continuously changes throughout the day with the breeze. The volumes within stay animated by a magnificent play of light.
See more pictures of this home
In this highly innovative design by Architecture Paradigm, clay tiles that rotate along a horizontal axis have been used in the facade. This interpretation of the louvres is a unique way in which tiles have been used – as a dynamic facade that continuously changes throughout the day with the breeze. The volumes within stay animated by a magnificent play of light.
See more pictures of this home
Louvres are often used in modern contemporary homes – especially in materials, such as aluminium, metal, wood, glass and vinyl.
3. As a window
If your space can accommodate it, choose to experiment a bit. Here a Chester-wood louvred window has been used for a clerestory light, and it is complemented with an unfinished brick or concrete wall.
If your space can accommodate it, choose to experiment a bit. Here a Chester-wood louvred window has been used for a clerestory light, and it is complemented with an unfinished brick or concrete wall.
Glass louvres could run the risk of sometimes looking like a thing from the past, but not when they are combined with contemporary designs. Create this sublime niche with a glass-louvred window that lets the air flow into the space. They complement the wood veneer very well too.
4. Used internally
Don’t underestimate the use of louvres within homes. They are a great way to demarcate spaces yet maintain openness. In this house by SAK designs, louvres within the house allow a visual connect in this area.
Don’t underestimate the use of louvres within homes. They are a great way to demarcate spaces yet maintain openness. In this house by SAK designs, louvres within the house allow a visual connect in this area.
Horizontal wooden louvres or pivot windows as shown here, are a fantastic way to open up and close the spaces within a house when required.
5. In doors
Let your storage breathe! We have all experienced staunch smells in closed wardrobes and closets. Incorporating louvres in your everyday storage will not only add style to your wardrobe but will also let the air flow continuously through your clothes and essentials. Have you noticed how these are used not just in closet doors of hotels but sometimes also as bathroom partitions?
Let your storage breathe! We have all experienced staunch smells in closed wardrobes and closets. Incorporating louvres in your everyday storage will not only add style to your wardrobe but will also let the air flow continuously through your clothes and essentials. Have you noticed how these are used not just in closet doors of hotels but sometimes also as bathroom partitions?
6. Partly covered
Accentuate the outdoor connect with nature by installing open or closed louvres. They are great for weather protection and for providing privacy. Partial cover allows unobstructed views of the outside at the same time saves us from the harsh sun when needed.
Accentuate the outdoor connect with nature by installing open or closed louvres. They are great for weather protection and for providing privacy. Partial cover allows unobstructed views of the outside at the same time saves us from the harsh sun when needed.
In this partially covered facade, the louvres in wood have been placed vertically instead of been placed in a regular horizontal orientation. Fixed on a detached frame between two floors, these function both as a shade for the first floor and a railing for the second floor.
7. As a roof
The same louvres used in the facade take on another role when they are rotated on a vertical axis to create a cover for a courtyard. Here, they give shade from the sun, provide an element for privacy and offer protection from the rain. How beautiful it must be – the sun moving through this space during the day!
Tip: Such innovations can also be implemented at a smaller scale by using other materials, such as frosted glass, wood or bamboo slats.
The same louvres used in the facade take on another role when they are rotated on a vertical axis to create a cover for a courtyard. Here, they give shade from the sun, provide an element for privacy and offer protection from the rain. How beautiful it must be – the sun moving through this space during the day!
Tip: Such innovations can also be implemented at a smaller scale by using other materials, such as frosted glass, wood or bamboo slats.
These louvres when open, let the light through and create interesting shadows based on the movement of the sun. This is an automated roof solution for a patio by Umbris and is an apt combination of function and elegance.
8. As walls
Replace walls with louvres! Use wooden, louvred doors with a rotating frame and witness the magic. This will allow just the right amount of gorgeous daylight and breeze into your spaces.
Replace walls with louvres! Use wooden, louvred doors with a rotating frame and witness the magic. This will allow just the right amount of gorgeous daylight and breeze into your spaces.
Aptly applied in the Pool House by Abin Design Studio, louvres act as navigators for a cross-flow of air on hot days and they constantly maintain a soothing, tropical, resort-style feel throughout the year.
9. In the outdoors
Louvres in outdoor areas can be a blessing since they tender just the right amount of privacy between the outside and the inside. As shown here, the horizontal slatted wall, resembling louvred shutters, creates a gentle sense of enclosure.
Read more:
9 Ways to Wow With Windows
Which Window Blind is Right for You?
Tell us:
Are you open to bringing louvres into your home? Share in Comments below.
Louvres in outdoor areas can be a blessing since they tender just the right amount of privacy between the outside and the inside. As shown here, the horizontal slatted wall, resembling louvred shutters, creates a gentle sense of enclosure.
Read more:
9 Ways to Wow With Windows
Which Window Blind is Right for You?
Tell us:
Are you open to bringing louvres into your home? Share in Comments below.
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