No Windows! Will this be the Apartment of the Future?
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from local draftsmen
Maybe you've seen the terrifying images of what one company thinks will be the future of aviation - windowless planes. Instead of windows, the whole cabin has been covered in OLED screens, which allows the skin of the plane to display what's above, beside and below you...
It got us thinking, what if homes of the future went windowless too. Like the tantalising images 40,000 feet high you see above, the apartment of the future could have killer views over, well, anything you like!
You could experience Paris in the Autumn as you munch your Weeties.
And take in a Big Apple sunset while wining and dining your current squeeze.
Feeling stressed out after a rough week at the office? Relocate your pad to the tranquil wilderness to help you unwind.
You could redecorate with the swipe of an iPhone. Exposed brick today.
Bold damask wallpaper the next.
Or, for when you need a dose of reality. Choose an outlook more inline with your budget. We call it derelict chic...
Benefits of Going Windowless
We've already covered a major pro - the ability to choose your view to match you mood! But we can see a lot of benefits of going windowless in favour of OLED walls:
- Easier, quicker and cheaper to build. None of those nasty lintels to worry about. And you can forget about holdups from the window manufacturer.
- Cheaper and easier to maintain a good living temperature. Windows are always the weak point in the thermal efficiency of a home. Get rid of them and you can save some serious cash heating and cooling your home.
- We could build more densely without worrying about
- Cheaper and easier to maintain. No need to repaint window frames, or risk leaks in or around your windows. And an added bonus? No more window cleaning!
Drawbacks of Going Windowless
There are also some pretty serious cons:
- No natural light! Already people experience Vitamin D deficiencies, SAD and other health issues due to a lack of natural light. Unless the OLEDs could be combined with technology which mimics natural light this could be a real problem. Natural light is also great at heating homes during winter, so we'd have to rely more on artificial heating sources if we go windowless.
- No ventilation. Windows usually serve one other important purpose -- ventilation. Without natural ventilation rooms can get stuffy and hot and make occupants feel drowsy as oxygen is depleted. Obviously the issue of ventilation could be solved in other ways, but it's important not to forget the value of fresh air!
What do you think?
Will our glaziers and window cleaners be out of business in a few years (obviously we hope not!)? Or will OLED technology be something only dodgy city hotels with no windows will embrace?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...
About the Author
Brodie Norris runs Lunchbox Architect, a website featuring one exceptional, architect-designed family home every weekday.
Drafting Quotes
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