Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started out as a fascination for the visuals of London's blasted-up windows has turned into an investigation into the role light and air contribute to our well-being. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the windows that are blocked up in the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant turning point in window design. This led to a shift in the architecture and the introduction of the sash window.
What is a window?
A window is an opening constructed in a door, wall or roof to admit light and air. It is often constructed with frames and spanners of glass, which are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window can also be described as window light or window aperture, or a window pane.
Sash windows are the most popular kind of window in London. They are windows that open vertically and open with the sliding mechanism. These windows can still be found in older homes, but are less common in modern constructions. Modern double glazed windows are typically constructed of uPVC and can be opened the same way as traditional sash windows, but with a much better insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive. They were developed due to the narrow streets of London and the tight-packed buildings. They are distinguished by two sashes that slide up and down inside the frame, and they overlap when open. The sash's movement is made possible by a system of that includes pulleys, weights, as well as counter balances that are hidden in the frame.
The windows' sashes can be opened by either sliding them open or cranked like doors. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement opens outwards and can have sashes that can be fixed or tilted to aid in cleaning. Certain casement windows hinge and can swing in or out like an awning or be opened by turning a crank.
Sash windows can be an elegant feature in any home, and it's not difficult to understand why they were popular for centuries. They do have shortcomings, and one of them is that they can be difficult to secure in light of security concerns in the modern world. We suggest replacing your sash window that was in use with the most recent tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that destroyed the city of London on 2nd September 1666. When the fire was extinguished on the 6th of September, only around four-fifths the city was left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches, and 52 Guild Halls. Thousands of people were left homeless. It was believed that the fire was started by an unnamed bakery located in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to the presence of combustible material in warehouses as well as a strong easterly breeze. It is believed that 16 people to have been killed.
After window repair london , King Charles II set about re-building the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for dozens of churches across the city. He also paved roads that were wider and ensured that buildings were built of brick instead of timber. In the end, the city was significantly less crowded.
Sash windows have been a part of London architecture for centuries. They are well-known for their combination of traditional design and modern technology. It took them a long time to reach where they are now.
The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century. They featured a vertically sliding bar and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened into the room, but not upwards to the sky. Over the years the design of the sash was modified and it became more of a box-style window. Today, the sash remains a popular window and it is used in many different types of homes and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe l'oeil window in Smithfield depicts the return of a sailor back to his family. "I am awestruck by it because it could take place." It's a very atmospheric place and it's easy to imagine what would be happening in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers is an artist who has captured more than 80 bricked-up windows within the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was intrigued by the aesthetics of the windows, but later realized that these windows have a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As an area with a history as long and rich as that of London, the capital is home to some stunning historic buildings. And sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historic homes. From elegant townhouses to quaint terraces They can be seen everywhere in the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always make the best impression in contemporary times. They're known for letting draughts into and are difficult to close or open and causing their mechanisms to jam. But a new, double-glazed sash windows from Lomax + Wood can be a breath of fresh air, providing a high-quality timber solution that is easy to operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
The sash window was developed by English craftsmen, but it is not known for sure. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited with changing building regulations to replace wider windows with narrower frames which were less likely to catch fire. These frames that were recessed provided Georgian and Victorian buildings their distinctive facades.
The sash consists of smaller panes, which are which are held in muntins, or glazing bars. Originally, the windows were comprised of multiple panes because glass was expensive - if one broke it would be expensive to replace it. The cost of glass has decreased drastically, and windows are now made of one pane that has an astragal bar applied to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them, or using a box sash mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves in the frame by a sash cord, and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the frame of the box.
A lot of sash windows are 100 years old and may be exhibiting problems such as rattles and drafts. They can be replaced, however, with double-glazed sash Windows that are FENSA registered and comply with strict building regulations in terms of thermal performance security, thermal performance, and acoustic isolation.
Bricked up windows
While walking through the streets of old England You may have noticed that windows are often replaced by bricks. While this edit seems odd, there's a solid reason for it and it's related to money. Back in 1696, there was a window tax that was imposed, which levy homeowners more according to the number of windows their houses had. The tax was referred to as the 'daylight theft', this tax was so detested that people went to extraordinary lengths to avoid it.
Some people decided to block their windows or build houses without windows. Fortunately this window-blocking trend faded away since the 'daylight theft tax was finally lifted in 1851. However, it's not uncommon to see windows with bricks on the sides of older buildings and you can identify if they were originally windows by looking for a lintel or sill which match up to where the glass would have been.
Look for the lines of stepped back in the brickwork, which resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, take a look to see whether the bricks are the same colour and if there's a gap in the mortar where the window would have been, it's likely that the window was not actually blocked off.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is worth a visit for those who are interested in learning more about these windows. The exhibition explores the impact of light and air on our health and wellbeing.
The exhibition does have its faults, notably in the claim that 'a lot' of the houses included had their windows smashed off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of the general dislike for the tax). The exhibition also fails to consider the complexity of conditions which affect wellbeing especially health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and during the so-called "lockdown" period.