Handicapped, Accessible, Universal 3

The view out to Salem Neck and Beverly is one of the main attractions of our home at 40B Cloutmans Lane. While the yet-to-be-named multi-purpose room on the main floor is located at the opposite end of the house, we wanted it to share that view and its spirit and light. To do that, I designed a fully glazed large 36” wide door and large interior window.

The hypotenuse of the large triangular shaped window follows the slope of the stair. But there will be times when this yet-to-be-named room will require visual privacy. The typical way to provide that privacy would be with shades or blinds. That’s possible here but shades on a door are often problematic and providing a rectangular set of blinds or drapes over the window seemed to say You can do better.

Enter polymer dispersed liquid crystal glazing, one type of electrochromic glazing.

I successfully designed this type of glazing into a flagship classroom space at NKU’s Griffin Hall College of Informatics. The classroom faces the Commons and sometimes visual privacy is desired in the classroom.

Looking into Griffin Hall digital journalism classroom

Not looking into Griffin Hall digital journalism classroom

With the flip of a switch the glazing transforms from opaque to visible. Unlike at NKU, the glazing in the door will also incorporate the electrochromic glass. This requires special hinges that can be wired to transmit the power that switches the glass between visible and privacy modes. While both line voltage and low voltage glazing is available, we will be using low voltage for its inherent greater safety.

Controlling the privacy of the yet-to-be-named room by flipping or tapping a switch or tapping one’s smart phone is fun, flexible, and accessible.

This control of this glazing can be incorporated into a suite of functions that fall under the heading of a smart house. The new 40B Cloutmans will be a smart enough house. We’re still fine tuning how smart is smart enough.

Merry Christmas to all!

Next week; Behind the walls: Building Systems 1, Plumbing

Electric hinge.

Not smart enough, just right smarts, or too smart for its own good?