These windows were the cause of several framing redesigns for the North, East and West Walls of the Living Module. The North was the most complicated to design because this is where the two windows overlapped. Two different framing schemes where devised. First, a truss system was devised which would transfer the load from the roof and take it over or between the windows and move it to the corners of the module. The major benefit of this scheme was that a large header would be needed above the windows and more wall area could be filled with insulation. The second scheme followed typical framing techniques which involved using a very large header above each window in order to transfer the load from the roof around the windows and to the foundations. Inversely, this scheme would need much more wood and would leave less room for insulation. Thus, a great deal of energy loss would occur through this wall. The second scheme was chosen to be constructed despite the weaker energy performance. Either scheme would have resulted in a poor energy performance simply based on the design and placement of the windows. Therefore, the second scheme was constructed because it could more easily be constructed by the volunteer labor. To construct the truss system would have required a specific knowledge of truss construction and performance in order for it to be built and constructed properly.
Panoramic Window on
Panoramic Windows seen on
In the case of the panoramic windows, the aesthetic was designed without any consideration to either structural or energy performance needs. When this takes place it is rare that the desired aesthetic will be achieved. Clearly, the structural elements must be satisfied in order for the building to stand. In the case of the panoramic window, the initial design had two pieces of glass meeting at the corner so that you would have a clear unobstructed view to the exterior. However, in order for the living module to stand without using any overly complicated construction methods, the roof load most be transferred through the corner essentially eliminating the full panoramic view. Thankfully, this oversight in the design of the window will help the window perform a little better in terms of thermal transfer.
Panoramic Window from Living Room
Once the panoramic window was put into the design of the ELEMENT the thermal performance of the house decreased dramatically. Then, because the structurally capabilities of the window design were none existent, the concept of the panoramic window design was not able to be realized. This brings to question, which is more important, aesthetics or performance? In the case of the ELEMENT Panoramic Window, the full aesthetic design was not meet and the performance of the house substantially reduced. This brings to light the importance design. From the onset, designers must consider aesthetics, structure and thermal performance. Each one affects the other, if they are designed together, at the early stages of design, they can work together. However, if only one aspect is taken into account at the beginning of the design, the other elements of the design will be adversely affected.
