A hexagonal window (also Melnikov's or honeycomb window) is a
hexagon
In geometry, a hexagon (from Ancient Greek, Greek , , meaning "six", and , , meaning "corner, angle") is a six-sided polygon. The total of the internal angles of any simple polygon, simple (non-self-intersecting) hexagon is 720°.
Regular hexa ...
-shaped
window
A window is an opening in a wall, door, roof, or vehicle that allows the exchange of light and may also allow the passage of sound and sometimes air. Modern windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent materia ...
, resembling a bee cell or crystal lattice of graphite. The window can be vertically or horizontally oriented, openable or fixed. It can also be regular or elongately-shaped and can have a separator (
mullion
A mullion is a vertical element that forms a division between units of a window or screen, or is used decoratively. It is also often used as a division between double doors. When dividing adjacent window units its primary purpose is a rigid supp ...
). Typically, the cellular window is used for an attic or as a decorative feature, but it can also be a major architectural element to provide the natural lighting inside buildings. The hexagonal window is relatively rare and associated with such architectural styles as
constructivism
Constructivism may refer to:
Art and architecture
* Constructivism (art), an early 20th-century artistic movement that extols art as a practice for social purposes
* Constructivist architecture, an architectural movement in Russia in the 1920s a ...
,
functionalism and, occasionally,
cubism
Cubism is an early-20th-century avant-garde art movement that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture. In Cubist artwork, objects are analyzed, broken up and reassemble ...
.
History
Attic hexagonal windows were occasionally used in the Northern European manor architecture of the 19th century. The concept became popular thanks to the Russian constructivist architect
Konstantin Melnikov
Konstantin Stepanovich Melnikov (Russian: Константин Степанович Мельников; – November 28, 1974) was a Russian architect and painter. His architectural work, compressed into a single decade (1923–33), placed ...
, whose own
famous house had 124 hexagonal windows, which were the main source of light as ceiling lights were not provided in many rooms. Cellular windows are also a feature of the Scandinavian
functionalism architecture
In architecture, functionalism is the principle that buildings should be designed based solely on their purpose and function.
This principle is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern archite ...
of the 1940s–1960s and are a kind of synthesis of tradition and modernism in the architecture. Today, hexagonal windows may be associated with
honeycomb houses, a concept proposed by architect
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959) was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator. He designed more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. Wright played a key role in the architectural movements o ...
and explore an idea of
organic architecture
Organic architecture is a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world. This is achieved through design approaches that aim to be sympathetic and well-integrated with a site, so buildings, furni ...
, which considers the nature as a main source of architectural imagination.
Gallery
File:Mustosen talon ikkuna 1870 1.jpg, Mustonen House, 1870, Joensuu
Joensuu (; krl, Jovensuu; ) is a city and municipality in North Karelia, Finland, located on the northern shore of Lake Pyhäselkä (northern part of Lake Saimaa) at the mouth of the Pielinen River (''Pielisjoki''). It was founded in 1848. Th ...
, Finland.
File:Melnikov House in MSK (img2).jpg, Melnikov House, Moscow, Russia.
File:Melnikov house1.JPG, Hexagonal window with diagonal mullions, Melnikov House.
File:Kerrostalo kuusikulmaiset ikkunat 1951.jpg, Vertical chain of hexagonal windows, Finland, 1950s.
File:Omakotitalo kuusikulmaiset ikkunat 1960.jpg, Triple cellular window in private mansion in Finland, 1960s.
File:Kuusikulmainen ikkuna sisäpuolelta päin.jpg, Internal view of hexagonal window.
File:0S0A2055.jpg, Hexagonal window at the right bottom part of building, Finnish functionalism.
References
{{reflist
Windows
Architectural elements