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Resume

Key-Words: - Window

- Corner Window

- Duality

- Duplicity

The Final Thesis title is “ The Window of the corner”. In a few words, it may just sugest the study of a

simple architectural element, basic and primary. I must advise that this research and work is based on a

theorical and semantic matter. The translation of this resume is, most of the time, barely done, because

many words and concepts don’t have the same meaning in languages with different etymological sources.

In slang, everyone knows what is a corner window – a window that is in the corner. In the cases of study

that were inventoried, i found the same concept and name for several kind of windows, with different forms;

for the same image different denominations. With the name “corner window” i found different illustrations

such as a balcony, a twin porthole, both on the corner. I also found for the same image of a twin window in

the corner different designations: “corner window”, “column window”, “window angle”. What is, after all, the

“corner window” and what’s the purpose of it?

The fist point is to know, in the end, what’s a window. It was, for me, the first difficult start point.

The Window is an oppening hole. To the television we give, in a metaforic sense the name “window” as

a window to the world; in a car we need Windows like a windscreen (physical protection). The window in

architecture is a boundary, a pass-through, but at the same time it means protection. It frames the exterior

inside, instead at night when it’s “rear” (indiscreet). Nowadays, the concept has a double-meaning because

we allow the wall and at the same time the hole. There’s no more black or white term but the grey, and that’s

why architecture is so fascinating! It’s interesting picking “Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture” by

Robert Venturi and see things have a meaning, it’s not just for the contradiction it self but most for the

ambiguity, be something and other at the same time, as in the baroque style!

The definition of Architecture depends on the subjectivity of the shape (Venustas) and the objectivity of

the constrution (Firmitas) to define a programme (utilitas). With those concept tools we are Dream builders,

organizing the space. About Corner Window we can tell “How romantic!!”

Though Arts and Architectures own ambiguity, it won’t break my opportunity to search the real meaning

of the “Corner Window”.

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The second point is about the second word of the compound word – The “Corner”. What kind of corner is

that that characterize some Windows?

The corner is an angle that determines at the same time a gable, plans folding, an edge and on the limite

an apex. The corner window is, than, designed by the corner of the plans.

The interruption of the physical and even structural plan represents always the vulnerabillity and

weakness of the tight shape condition. The window is the first discharge, main element in architecture that

makes inside space livable. The glass allowed to open a porthole for a window, and at the same time closing

it, avoiding darkness. On solid walls of masonry, the corner window compromises as much for it duplicity as

it location on the corner the structural system. The corner window makes up the corner like an oppening that

breaks the physical, material and continuity of the dialogue of the plans.

In another chapter is stated the corner window, limited by the wall and for it structure, in different

significants on a Historical and chronological view. It Semantic shows a wish and a willness. The shapes are

instruments for the Duality, between reality (limitations) and appearance (intent). Starting with portuguese

study cases, the emergence and dissemination of this typology, the investigation will set a connection with

the contemporary shapes.

In summary it’s important to see that the corner window had become the paradigm of dematerialization

of boundaries, an attempt to get free the shapes from structure. Along the History, windows, as a self-

contained objects, were all the time recognizable even ambiguous within its limits. Yet, with contemporary

large surfaces of courtain walls, the window lost its primary form value.

Each site is a place, in every material or technique we can give a new significant (form). That’s why the

conclusion of this thesis is about window and its concept. It represents a limit tension between the interior

and the exterior, one space and another that courtain wall become to dissolve.

The window concept is becoming more diverse, from the uniqueness of the corner window (fig.1); to the

chaotic cut, with thick lines biased of the hole, of the corners of the building as a massive volume (fig.2); to

the reflective and “impressionistic” glazed elevantions of Jean Nouvel Building (fig.3).

What’s the meaning of the window today?

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1 – Hester MCNally Residence (sustainable house), Califórnia, de Arkin-Tilt Architects (TRULOVE, James Grayson; Sustainable Homes – 26 Designs That Respect The Earth, Harper Design Inernational, HDi, Hong Kong, 2004) 2 – Jewish Museum in Berlin, 2001, Daniel Libeskind; (in http://www.architectureoflife.net/Blog/910/-“between-the-lines”-the-jewish-museum-berlin.aspx) 3 – Raspail – Cartier Foundation, Paris, 1991-94, of Jean Nouvel (MORGAN, Conway Lloyd; Jean Nouvel – Les éléments de l’Architecture, Adam Biro, Paris, 1999)

“Se podes olhar, vê. Se podes ver, repara” I we can see, look. If you can look, watch

in Livro dos Conselhos

José Saramago,

“Ensaio sobre a Cegueira”, Ed. Caminho, 1995

“Todos os objectos têm uma história e contudo, vistos à distância podem ser ligeiramente diferentes e é exactamente nesta ligeira diferença que se esconde o seu verdadeiro

significado (...)” Every objects has a story and although, seen at the distance they can be slightly differents and it is

on this precise difference where it hides its true meaning. in

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