Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a fascination for the visuals of London's blasted-up windows has turned into an investigation into the role that light and air play in our wellbeing. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photos of blocked-up windows in the city.
The Great Fire of London was an important moment in the history of window design. This led to a change in the design of windows and the development of sash windows.
What is a Window?
A window is a small opening that is made in a wall, door, or roof with the intention of letting light and air in. It is often framed with glass panes mounted on the frame to permit opening and closing. A window may also be called a window light or window aperture. pane.
There are many different types of windows but the ones that are most commonly associated with London are sash windows. These are windows that open vertically that open using a sliding mechanism. They're still a popular feature in many older homes, but they are less common in the newer constructions. Modern double glazed windows are typically made from uPVC and can be opened the same way as traditional sash windows however with much improved insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive and were first created as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. Two sashes slide up and down in the frame, and then overlap when opened. The movement of sash is made possible by a system of pulleys, weights and counter balances which can be hidden in the frame.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them open, or by cranking them like a door. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. A casement window can open outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilted to help with cleaning. There are also casement windows that are hung on hinges that allow the window to swing in and out, much like an awning window, or which can be opened with a crank mechanism.
It is easy to see the reason why sash windows were extremely popular throughout the years. However, they aren't without their flaws. One of the main problems is that it can be difficult to ensure their security against modern security concerns. We suggest replacing your sash window that was in use with the latest tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping intruders away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that spread across the city's centre on September 2nd, 1666. By the time the fire was extinguished on Thursday 6th only about four-fifths of the city left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes as well as 52 churches, and 89 Church Halls and left thousands of people homeless. It was believed that the fire started because of an unnamed bakery located in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to the presence of combustible material in warehouses and an extremely strong easterly breeze. It is believed that 16 people to have died.
After the fire the king Charles II began to rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for numerous churches throughout the city. He also built wider streets and made sure buildings were built with brick rather than timber. This meant that the city was less overcrowded.
Sash windows are an iconic part of London's architecture, and have been around for centuries. They are renowned due to their mix of traditional design and modern technology. It took some time to get to where they are today.
The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century. They had a vertically sliding bar and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened outwards into the room, but not upwards to the sky. In time, the sash design was modified to look like the shape of a box window. The sash continues to be a popular and widely used window in different types of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe of l'oeil window from Smithfield, which depicts the return of a sailor to his family. "I am awestruck by it because the scene could happen." 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, an artist photographer, has taken photos of more than 80 bricked-up windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says that initially he was interested in the design of the windows, but has since found that they hold a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital, with its rich and lengthy history is home to some stunning period structures. And sash windows are often associated with these historic homes. They can be found in the London streets from aristocratic terraces all the way to humble townhouses.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always look the best in modern times. They are notorious for letting draughts in and being difficult to close or open and causing their mechanisms to jam. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It offers a high-quality timber product that's easy-to-operate and offers great energy-efficiency.
It's unclear who invented the sash window, although English craftsmen have the strongest claim to being responsible. They are also credited with modifying building regulations after the Great Fire, which led to wider windows being replaced with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance.
The sash consists of small panes which are held in muntins, or glazing bars. Originally, windows were made of several panes, since glass was costly. If one broke, replacing it would be expensive. london double glazing , the price of glass has sunk dramatically so the windows are usually composed of one pane that has astragal bars attached to give the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows are opened by sliding or using the box sash. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes are anchored in vertical grooves inside the frame by a sash cord, and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the box frame.
A lot of sash windows in period buildings in London are more than 100 years old and may start to exhibit problems such as rattles and draughts. They can be replaced however, by installing double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered, and have strict building standards in terms of thermal performance as well as security and acoustic insulation.
Windows that are smashed up
You might have noticed a strange sight as you wander through the streets of old England windows are often replaced with bricks. This might seem odd, but it's actually for a good cause and it's a matter of money. In 1696 there was a tax on windows imposed which charged homeowners more according to the number of windows their houses had. Also known as the 'daylight robbery', this tax was so detested that people went to great measures to avoid it.
One method was to construct their homes with a minimal amount of windows, or even without windows at all, while others would block them up. Fortunately this window-blocking trend faded away since the 'daylight theft tax was eventually canceled in 1851. It's common to find windows that are bricked up on the exterior of older buildings. You can tell if they were windows by looking at the lintel or sill that is matched to the original glass.
Examine the stepped back line in the brickwork, which resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, check to determine if the bricks are all the same colour and if there's a gap within the mortar where the window would have been, it's likely that the window wasn't actually blocked off.
If you are interested in learning more about the background of these windows, there is an exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth checking out. The exhibit explores the effects of light and air on our health and wellbeing.
The exhibition has its faults, notably in the claim that 'a lot' of the properties that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to a general hatred for the tax). It also doesn't consider the complexity of conditions which affect wellbeing especially health, after the introduction of the window tax and during the so-called "lockdown" period.