In 1956 architect Harris Armstrong designed an amazing house for Dr. Robert A. Boyd, laboratory director at the University of Michigan's Daylighting Laboratory. Plans provided!
In 1956 architect Harris Armstrong of Kirkwood Missouri, designed an amazing house for Dr. Robert A. Boyd, laboratory director at the University of Michigan's Daylighting Laboratory. Esntry side of house is hamonious blend of brick, wood and glass. Front door, under a generous canopy is surrounded by slightly configurated glass block. This brightens hall and allows a degree of through-vision. to light the hallway and kitchen, wall to right is studded with the same glass block.
Satin-sfot natural light bathes Boyd living room in even, over-all illumination. Diffused from skylight, clerestory (out of picture), daylight coaxes true tones from colors. Dr. Boyd also designed many of his house's direct and indirect artifical lights that blend smoothly into glareless natural lighting.
Partially cantilevered porch gives feeling of walking out into view enjoyed through living-room glass. Plant-box boarder doesn't interrupt sense of suspension. Rest of porch is bordered by an expanded metal-redwood railing. The translucent-glass section with operable sash (right) illuminates the bathroom.
If it's impractical to alter exterior with windows, if room is in center if house, or if outside distraction is to be avoided (as with this neat study), skylighting's the answer. This amazing amount of illumination flows from two glassed areas in roof above. Glass is 3 inches thick with double air spaces for insulation.
Skylight and vent (fan's over mirror) made it possible to enclose one bathroom entirely within interior walls, reserving exterior walls for light and view for the living areas. This type of light's excellent for close-ups like shaving. Wall is ceramic tile.
Living-dining areas bask in flattering combined side and top light. Orderly post-and-beam construction makes it easy to use big areas of glass to further knit indoors to out. Kitchen traffic's routed past dining area on tile pathway. Rest of floors are hardwood. Glass can vary room temperature so house has four heating control zones.
Look for a spot in this orderly kitchen that isn't brightly lit. Skylights translucent wall illuminate every inch. Wall at far end is one that shows in front of house picture. Glass block over counter has pothooks set in mortar. For night-time artificial lights, fluorescent fixtures are recessed in the beams overhead.
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