The most effective architectural design — contemporary, conventional, whatever the situation may be — chooses the natural surroundings into consideration. Architectural type, materials and assemblies should react to sunlight, wind and other factors of climate. One means of addressing sunlight is with louvers — closely spaced slats that allow the sun’s rays to pass through specific times of the day, producing shade at other occasions.
The following examples illustrate how louvers can be oriented vertically on a facade or as a trellis. The majority fall into the latter category, as spending some time outdoors while still having some respite from the sun is a popular reason to use louvers. For much more shading ideas, see my posts on timber slats and sunshades.
Wheeler Kearns Architects
The horizontal louvers located on the outside of the house designed by Wheeler Kearns Architects are located on the projecting quantity at left along with a stair which sits between it and the more solid place on the right side.
Wheeler Kearns Architects
It’s simple to see why louvers were used here: All these are the areas with the most transparency. In the instance of the foreground quantity, a screened porch, the louvers wrap the top half (approximately) of three sides.
Wheeler Kearns Architects
By increasing the louvers above door height, views from the seating area inside to the landscape are rather open. The amount, horizontal profile and standing of the louvers means the large, midday sunlight is blocked but the very low sunlight can come through.
Wheeler Kearns Architects
The louvers are articulated in precisely the same fashion from the stair, filtering the light which enters the tall space. The louvers mitigate the impact of the sunlight on the space, keeping it from turning into a greenhouse in warmer months.
Wheeler Kearns Architects
Here is the view from the staircase out to the landscape, together with the screened seats area seen beyond.
Baldridge Architects
Baldridge Architects’ aptly named Courtyard House is highlighted with a large trellis within the decked outdoor space. With the louvers oriented vertically (the opposite of the former example), the sun is allowed to input when it’s directly overhead but is filtered when in an angle.
Baldridge Architects
This daytime photo shows the trellis in action. It’s important to be aware that the louvers work in concert with all the surrounding trees, so more shade is provided together than independently.
Baldridge Architects
When seen from inside, the trellis appears to function as an exterior ceiling, solid at a few angles. This provides a enclosure and privacy to the space adjacent to the glass walls.
Rudolfsson Alliker Associates Architects
Much like the preceding instance is the home in Sydney, Australia, designed by Rudolfsson Alliker Associates Architects. The trellis also sits just outside the glass walls, in this instance sliding walls that connect inside and out.
Rudolfsson Alliker Associates Architects
The placement of the louvers makes it seem they are a continuation of the ceiling, making a stronger tie between inside and out in line with the remainder of the design.
Rudolfsson Alliker Associates Architects
Nevertheless the timber used for the louvers provides the trellis some warmth which the rest of the layout lacks in its minimalism.
Rudolfsson Alliker Associates Architects
This detail shows the simplicity of the layout: closely spaced wood slats attached to paired galvanized steel angles.
Studio Saved – ASAP House
Studio ASAP’s ASAP House on New York’s Long Island features a red trellis in the rear which is apparently completely different — visually and physically — from the home, a straightforward one-story box. That they function together is evident from the way the trellis columns sit between each set of double doors.
Studio Saved – ASAP House
The trellis is capped in translucent, corrugated plastic, shielding the occupants from rain as well as sunlight.
Studio Saved – ASAP House
Another Studio Kiss project features a trellis more in tune with its house, but there’s still something to it that makes it feel as the trellis is a great addition. In fact the project is a renovation with a new front porch.
Studio Saved – ASAP House
The trellis sits in the front edge of the new porch, behaving like a screen between the street and the home. It’s an interesting design that provides a little bit of privacy to some side not normally used to it. I really could see a barbecue occurring here, as opposed to out back.
Studio Saved – ASAP House
The stepping from the wall creates places to sit down, aided by the wall’s thickness.
More:
Shade in Summer, Sun at Winter