Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a fascination for the visuals of London's bricked-up windows has become an investigation into the role that light and air play in our wellbeing. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 images of windows that have been blocked in the city.
The Great Fire of London was an important change in the design of windows. This resulted in a change in architecture and the introduction of the sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is a small opening which is built into a door, wall or roof for the purpose of letting light and air in. It is often framed and spanned with panes of glass, which are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window could also be described as window light, window aperture or window pane.
There are many different types of windows but the ones that are most associated with London are sash windows. These are windows that open vertically that open using a sliding mechanism. These windows are still found in older homes, but are less common in more modern structures. Modern double glazed sash windows are generally constructed from uPVC and can still be opened in the same manner as traditional sash windows, but with a much better insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive. They were invented because of the narrow streets in London and the tightly packed buildings. They are distinguished by two sashes that slide up and down inside the frame and then overlap when they are open. The movement of sash is aided by a system pulleys, weights and counter balances that are concealed within the frame.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them open, or by cranking them like doors. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. Casement windows open outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilt to help with cleaning. There are also a few casement windows that hang on hinges that permit the window to swing in and out, similar to an awning window, or which can be opened with the crank mechanism.
A sash window can be an elegant feature in any home, and it is not difficult to see why they were so popular for so long. However, they aren't without their drawbacks. One of the biggest issues is that it could be a challenge to ensure their security against modern security issues. We recommend replacing your old sash windows with the latest tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping intruders from entering your home.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that swept through London's city centre on the 2nd of September 1666. When the fire was put out on the 6th, only four-fifths the city was left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. Many thousands of people were left homeless. It was believed that the fire was started by the bakery in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to the presence of combustible material in warehouses and an intense easterly breeze. Around 16 people are believed to have been killed.
After the fire the king Charles II began to rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create a new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundations for dozens of other churches across the city. He also constructed wider streets and ensured that buildings were constructed of brick instead of timber. The city became much less overcrowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows have been part of London architecture for long periods of time. They are a popular choice due to their winning combination of traditional looks and modern technology. However, it took a while to reach where they are today.
The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century and included an incline bar that was vertical and a fixed sash. The window could extend out into the room, but not to the sky. In time, the sash design was modified to look more like a box window. Today the sash is still an extremely popular window and is used in many different styles of apartments and houses.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor who has returned to his family. "I love it because it portrays an event that could take place. It's a beautiful 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 initially was interested in the aesthetics of these windows, but later discovered that these windows have a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As an area with a history as long and rich as London's, this capital is home to amazing period buildings. Sash windows are typically associated with historic properties. They are found in the London streets, from aristocratic terraces to humble townhouses.
Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash window styles aren't always attractive in contemporary times. They have a reputation for letting in draughts, being difficult to open and close, and often getting stuck. However, a brand new, double-glazed sash window from Lomax + Wood can be an oasis of fresh air, providing a high-quality timber solution that's easy to operate and has a high energy efficiency.
The sash window was invented by English craftsmen, but the origin of it isn't known for certain. Following the Great Fire of London, they were also credited with changing building regulations to replace larger windows with narrower frames which were less likely to catch fire. These frames that were recessed gave Georgian and Victorian buildings distinctive facades.
The sash consists of smaller panes, which are which are held in muntins, or glazing bars. In the past, windows were constructed of multiple panes because glass was costly. If one was damaged replacing it would be costly. The cost of glass has fallen dramatically, and windows are now made of a single pane with astragal bar applied to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them or using the box sash mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both sides. The two sashes in the frame are held in place by a cord. Weights are hidden in the box frame to balance the weights.
Many windows made of sash in historic buildings in London are over 100 years old and may start to suffer from issues like draughts and rattles. However, we can replace them with modern, double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and meet stringent building regulations regarding thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Windows that have been smashed
While walking through the streets of the old England, you may have observed that windows are occasionally replaced with bricks. This might seem odd, but it's for an excellent cause, and it's a matter of money. In 1696, there was a tax on windows that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount according to the number of windows their homes had. The tax was referred to as the 'daylight theft', this tax was so detested that people went to extraordinary measures to avoid it.
Some people decided to block their windows or build houses with no windows at all. The window-blocking trend was only temporary because the 'daylight-robbery fee' was finally removed in 1851. However, it's still common to see windows with bricks on the exterior of older buildings, and you can usually tell whether or not they were originally windows by looking for a lintel and sill that match to the place where the glass would have been.
Examine door companies in london in the brickwork, which resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, check to check whether the bricks are the same colour, and if there is a gap in the mortar where the window would have been, it's possible that the window was never actually blocked off.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, is worth visiting for those curious about the history of these windows. The exhibition explores the impact of light and air on our health and wellbeing.
The exhibition has its faults. Most notably, it states that "many" of the homes included were bricked to avoid paying the Georgian window tax of the time. (And not just out of a general dislike for the tax.) It fails to consider the factors that affect wellbeing, especially health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.