Architect, Jennifer Luce Talks Windows.

“It all begins with a window and a door…”

Jennifer Luce has an almost poetic way of speaking about windows that can inspire a love for sweeping panes of beautifully cut glass and hand-crafted joinery in even the most shadow-loving of people. Our team has had the distinct pleasure of knowing and working with Jennifer for many years. As we move into the initial building phase of a significant private residence project designed by Jennifer and Luce et Studios, we sat down and talked with her about one of the most important features of not only this property but architecture as a whole, windows.

Inspiration and materials table for a new project collaboration with Luce et Studio, La Jolla.

Light is fundamental to the considerations and craft of an architect, can you talk about how you approach framing natural light in design?

The framing of light is an aspect of architecture that is a particularly fascinating way of sculpting space, from both the inside and the outside. I am from a dark place, Quebec, Canada when I came to California it was evident that a lot of sensation of space comes from an abundance of light. It is enriched by it. When you have that intensity of light to work with you think a lot about where it is coming from, the directions, and how those pathways of light cross over each other at different times of day and months of the year.
Clients understand the importance of as much light and air as possible, the shift in their awareness of windows as a way of crafting space comes when people want them to function and when they begin to think about how they are used. This is often informed by cultural factors, privacy, and notions of authenticity.
One of the most important parts of the discussion during the planning phase is flexing and deconstructing the boundaries of what a client may feel is authentic and where they may connect with their own ideas of architectural and design authenticity. Familiarity and comfort are surprisingly easy to blur with the premise of authenticity.
Memory is at the foundation of so much of what informs our connections and at times, decisions. Everyone’s relationship with light is different but often there are exceptional moments that each of us has experienced, an event, a vacation, or an environment that affected us. A lot of it probably had to do with light, the color, and temperature coming from somewhere. There is a very emotional aspect of working with a client during the design process. We really try to dig down and get to those associations that bring a client joy.

How do you approach the challenge of satisfying all of your client’s requirements in terms of climate, safety, energy efficiency, and aesthetics?

Windows are something you don’t ever want to replace in a project. They are one of the most important things a client can spend money on and for the architect, one of the most important things to conceptually approach. I advocate for a client to go for the highest quality possible.

Part of the architect’s role is to be very aware of the context; the region of the world, the condition of the site, and how to frame the view. How do you capture that special sense of light? What is the most logical and aesthetic way to do it?
Working through these considerations ultimately warrants the type(s) of windows at the beginning of a project. Projects that require a lot of function can be even more challenging such as those in more extreme or variable climates; there is an even greater consideration for the functional, technical, and performance aspects as well as the aesthetics.
People are sometimes shocked by the price of windows and doors which generally prompts an intense but necessary dialogue that is often more of a personal discussion than one about figures.

Can you speak about the importance of the relationship between the architect and the contractor and manufacturers involved in a project?

It is the responsibility of the architect and general contractor to dialogue about the design, layers, and materials. It is one of the most interesting moments in a project when these things come together. When the perfection of details shows, the quality of the relationship between the architect and contractor shows.

What I have learned over time is that the manufacturer relationship is critical to knowing you’re getting the product you expect and that there will be an open dialogue about details and that they will let you follow the details in the process. We vet for these factors early. We like to work with manufacturers that allow you to follow the details in the process of production and who understand this desire comes from trust, not a lack thereof. We are a very collaborative studio.

West Coast GBC, Hopes Windows, and Jennifer Luce meeting at Luce et Studio about new La Jolla project

You mentioned that people can be shocked by the cost of custom windows and doors, can you talk about the key differences between custom and commercially produced pieces and why it is a worthwhile investment.

The difference is really in the craft of joinery, the aesthetics, and the performance.
Custom manufacturers are able to work with virtually any specifications and needs. If the priority is a double-glazed system that is sealed, the priority is on meeting those needs. However, if a single laminated glaze is acceptable for the location, that might allow us to focus on maximizing the customization of framing materials, operability, etc…
Quality is at the foundation of the experience, superior crafted materials can make a significant aesthetic and functional difference. The act of opening and closing of a window or door, the quality of the glass that allows a view to be pure, or how a window is positioned in a room can all become pretty wonderful experiences.

Jennifer Luce is an award-winning architect and founder of Luce et Studio a multidisciplinary architecture practice based in La Jolla, California. Her most recent work includes the distinguished transformation of the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego. Jennifer’s unique collaborative method and appreciation for craftsmanship makes for a notably engaging and gratifying process throughout the lifecycle of a project. To see our Luce x West Coast GBC project updates, follow our instagram account.