We were all in shock when the trend hit in early 2017 and have been drooling over them since. Black powder coated steel framed glazed partitions. In other words, those beautiful black framed window walls that we are seeing in interior spaces.
After the swoon faded, I discovered a very practical issue with these walls… Aren’t walls supposed to separate spaces and provide privacy? Well, not these ones. The goal of these window walls is to separate zones in space without compromising on light, still maintaining the open feel of the space. To prove it to you, I have rounded up our top 5 favorite PRACTICAL applications for these.
1. Interstitial Spaces
Interstitial spaces can be a pain to design. Often, they become this weird in-between space with no purpose other than to offer a transition in space. These glass walls offer a connection from the outside in, making a smoother and aesthetically pleasing transition.
2. Studio Dividers
Anyone who has ever owned a studio apartment or condo knows the struggle of defining zones within a larger, open space. We have seen endless IKEA temporary hacks, but for those who are in it for the long run, this offers a solution that embraces your small space.
3. Quiet Zones
Since the development of open concept, our clients have come to us with lots of noise control issues. Families are finding that noise carries through the house in unwanted areas. No one wants to hear the kids playing cops and robbers while you’re trying to make a work call in our home office. These glazing walls offer create barrier between spaces, blocking some sound, and separating quiet spaces like your office.
4. Stair Railings
It sounds contradictory to build a wall to open up the space, but this glazing wall offers a protective railing for the stairs without the cluttered, repetitive lines of balusters.
5. Messy Spaces
There are some spaces, like mudrooms, that unfortunately receive a lot of light as they are connected to the exterior of the home but get VERY messy. Frosted glass partitions offer a way to carry in that light without seeing the mess! This can be a great solution for spaces like kids playrooms, pantries, offices, etc.
This is a steel and glass wall we did for a modern condo in the West Loop to split the master bedroom from the main living area. We also had custom cast brass door handles made.
