Finding the vista in a home

Finding the vista, or the view through a home or a space, is one of the most important aspects of a design.

Architects have a knack for finding the vista because they tend to look at home design from the outside in; whereas interior designers tend to view home design more on a room-to-room basis - or, rather, from the inside out.

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(BTW: That’s just an observation, not a personal judgement about which is better or worse.)

Finding the vista is very important in the design of any space.

Its impact can propel a good design into one that’s drop-dead-gorgeous and completely awe-inspiring.

Because, you see, I’m not just talking about a space featuring a window that has an outstanding view - although, most of the time, that ends up being the case with what I’m discussing here.

I’m talking about how a line of sight through a home can create intrigue, drama, a sense of what’s to come.

The vista imbues heightened anticipation for what is next, what is just around the corner, what lies in the room beyond.

It can draw you in.

A well-placed opening, a window, a door, a penetration in the wall of some kind can open up an expanded view through the home, giving you a peek into another area you may be interested in exploring.

Your curiosity peaks. You want to move on and experience more. Your eye is drawing you through.

You sense there's more to see, and things will only get better.

Not all interior horizons climax with a beautiful sight.

There could be an unattractive wall; a closet where the doors are always open and it’s messy inside; a bathroom where the toilet is visible; the end run of some kitchen cabinetry; a laundry room; a dead end lacking any natural light...

The list of not-so-desirable situations could go on and on.

The placement of openings throughout the home should be carefully considered when trying to design an attractive vista that allows a glimpse into its heart.

Imagine if the vista in the image to the left had not been there. Would the courtyard have felt as powerful as it does? Would it have felt

as open? Would you have felt such a sense of place or an emotional connection with the property? Aren’t you intrigued?

The vista: Its aesthetic importance should never be ignored.

{ Gallery: Click each image to enlarge fullscreen & view source. }

Saladino does this so well. Of course, he is an architect.

In the image to the right, not only do we have a beautiful pool to look at, which could have been enough, but we have more to intrigue us...

A further look. Through another structure. And then beyond. A vista.

Left: More Saladino. Making you look. Making your eye wander. What’s going on in there?

Above: Don’t you want to keep walking around that corner to see what’s there? The placement of the opening at the windows, just makes us want to follow to see where that wall of windows leads.