TOOLKIT 33 APPLICATION: Additional Balcony Designs
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After
Before
After
The case study is a teacher’s apartment located in Hangzhou, China. It is a concrete framed tower 23 storey high built-in 1995. The issue is that the existing flats lack private outdoor space. the residents have to hang clothes outside the balcony and even grow plants and place their staff in the greenery space.
The existing balconies are only 1.1 m wide, and they didn’t comply with the local guide standards. In order to add private open space, the design strategy is that demolish the existing enclosed balconies and build new balconies 2 m wide.
From the toolkit, there are 6 open balcony options and 4 enclosed balcony options designed for the north and south-facing balconies due to it requires sufficient natural daylight and ventilation. There are 6 open balconies options.
There are 4 enclosed steel framed balcony material options, which offer a wide range of openings options, openings inwards, folding to the left or right, or folding to the side.
For the west and east-facing balconies which requires sun shading, there are 6 balcony options that are operable panels, sliding panels, fixed slats, folding panels, and greenery panels.
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Balcony Design Application
North-facing Balconies
South-facing Balconies
Clear Glazing
Frosted Glazing
Steel Handrails
Perforated Metal Panel
Timber Slats
Greenery Railings
Frosted Glazing
Clear Glazing
Timber Weatherboards
Folding Windows
Folding Doors
Openable Perforated Panels
Sliding Metal Panels
Timber Louvre Folding panels
Fixed Timber Slats
Folding Metal Panels
Greenery Facade
West & East facing Balconies
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The south-facing balconies renewal design before and after images
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After
The renewal balcony design allows diversity of balcony structures, materials and styles.
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The before and after of west-facing balconies
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After
The design allows the individual user to determine a balcony style depending on their own budget and preferences.
Before
This image shows the existing enclosed balcony attached to the main bedroom, residents need to pass through the bedroom to access the balcony which causes inconvenience.
Before
This is the existing enclosed balcony facing west, there are no external sun-shading devices, and the residents have to close the openings and use the artificial lighting which causes energy waste.
Before
This shows the existing east-facing balcony, the narrow space which reduces accessibility, the residents have to dry clothes and grow plants outside the window.
After
After the renewal design, the balcony is designed to attached to the living room, this image shows one balcony option for south orientation, it is constructed by a steel framed structure with clear glazing, it optimises the interior daylight and provides weather protection.
After
The renewal balcony was constructed as a cantilever balcony structure with external folding timber louvers for solar protection. Residents can use the balcony as a reading nook, an outdoor dining space, or a laundry space.
After
The operable perforated steel panels allow flexible solar control and provide certain privacy. Residents can use the balcony as an extra living space to enjoy outside views.
This shows another design option, the cantilevered balcony with fixed timber slats, and the mesh handrails allow residents to grow flowers and plants.