A window on old Paris
Here we could sit and listen to the sounds of the city. Leaning out over the wrought iron railing, we could see the view four floors above street level, up and down the rue de Rivoli. This window is in an eighteenth century building in old Paris. How many other people have looked out that same window at that same location, at another time in history? (During the revolution, this was the way to the Bastille where the monument sits today, and the march of Napoleon entered along this route. )
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| A Rue de Rivoli Window, Paris, by DG Hudson |
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Under the Pyramid at the Louvre
From outside in the daytime, you see a striking glass pyramid, but from beneath the pyramid, you view the fractured blue sky. That's another wing of the Louvre Museum that's showing through the diamond shapes in the photo below. On sunny days, the sun streams in, highlighting the lobby area beneath and warming the statues.
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| Through the Pyramid Glass at the Louvre Museum, by DG Hudson |
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The Back Gardens at Versailles
Looking out at a view of the back gardens provided another diversion for the guests and residents at the Palace of Versailles. Large windows cooled the interiors of the huge palace galleries, and allowed light to fill the dark palace rooms. Strolling on the roof and in the gardens was in vogue at the time. This garden was extensive to provide amusement for the royalty and nobles living here.
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| Versailles,window and balustrade by DG Hudson |
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Arched Windows, in the Hall of Mirrors
The photo below is a reflection in one of the mirrored walls. Having mirrors in the long gallery make it seem wider than it is. The gilt on the statues, the natural light from the windows, the chandeliers and the mirrors create a light airy effect. It works. Versailles can surprise the visitor, I'm glad it was restored.
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| Reflection, Hall of Mirrors,Versailles, by DG Hudson |
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Windows of Remembrance
Beautiful stained glass windows lighten the interiors of family tombs in Pere Lachaise Cemetery highlighting the fresh flowers placed there with care. Some private tombs have limited access within for a quiet moment or prayers.
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| Stained glass Window, Pere Lachaise, by DG Hudson |
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Would you like windows that you could customize to any virtual scene you wanted, as many science fiction novels have speculated? A sensory package for smells, sounds, etc. would need to be incorporated. I'm sure they would create an app for it.
Do you notice windows as a design element in architecture? Windows can also play an important part in a story. What do you think? Please share in the comments, and thanks for stopping by.
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References:
Rue de Rivoli Post
http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2012/04/r-rue-de-rivoli-to-z-challenge.html
The Louvre Museum
http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2012/04/l-louvre-museum-to-z-blog-challenge.html
The Palace of Versailles
http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2012/04/v-versailles-palace-to-z-challenge.html
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
http://dghudson.blogspot.ca/2012/01/paris-pere-lachaise-cemetery.html
