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Topic: Outdoor Structures



Date Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2014
Posted by: Tanya Zanfa (Master Admin)
Source: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/home-garden/2014/10/03/smar...


Solutions: Glass adds element of surprise to decor


Solutions: Glass adds element of surprise to decor

The sturdy surface makes a statement on floors, rails and stairs

AZD_002785.jpg

(Photo: Beth Singer )

 

Recent advances in glass technology let the sleek surface stretch from conventional shelves and tabletops to more prominent parts of the home.

Kevin Akey, co-owner of Bloomfield Hills-based AZD Associates, likes to work with the versatile material. The established architect has been incorporating unique glass features into his impressive projects for the past 15 years.

As he explains, structural glass made a major impact on the industry. Now the sturdy surface makes a statement on floors, rails and stairs.

Glass rails go beyond outdoor decks and patios to enhance indoor bridges and stairs, as well as interior balconies.

One obvious benefit is to gain open sightlines to both indoor and outdoor spaces. “It’s clean and it almost goes away,” Akey says. “And glass allows more light into a house.”

Though often associated with contemporary settings, glass has mass appeal. Akey has installed it in more traditional homes with some minor adjustments. “It’s not so big and expansive and there’s usually more wood trim,” he says.

His structural glass floors always get a reaction. “We’re starting to do them a lot now,” says Akey. “Some people are still afraid to walk on them, but you could hit it with a hammer and it wouldn’t break.”

They offer a peek at another unique feature, like an indoor pond.

For one residence, Akey designed a glass floor in a home office that also serves as the ceiling for a garage beneath the house. This lets the homeowner keep an eye on his prized luxury vehicle.

Though glass needs to be cleaned, Akey says it doesn’t require more maintenance than other materials.

Glass waterfalls can be quite striking, like one Akey did that provides privacy for a home office when the water flows. When not in use, the glass offers a view to the room.

Wall dividers are another popular option. Akey typically attaches some kind of fastener to prevent people from walking into the glass.

Another of his unique applications resulted in a luxurious closet lined with glass that’s backlit for added drama.

Glass grids and other designs feature structural support in the form of wood and steel that add visual interest to the overall look.

Expansive fixed-glass windows maximize desirable views like those seen from a waterfront property. “We definitely get that fresh air in the house with other windows strategically put in other places,” Akey says.

Glass makes a dramatic accent overhead. “We make a lot of light fixtures out of glass,” Akey says.

Some glass features seem to create an optical illusion, such as a home with glass stairs that are held up by a glass partition or a curved glass bridge supported by a steel rail.

Floor-to-ceiling shower doors are becoming increasingly popular. “They have a sleeker, cleaner look,” says Akey, who designed one with frosted glass in the center for partial privacy.

Any way you shape it, glass tends to provide an element of surprise. “It’s so unexpected,” says Akey. “It adds a wow factor.”

For information, contact Kevin Akey at (248) 540-6009 or go to azdarch.com.

Jeanine Matlow is a Metro Detroit interior decorator turned freelance writer specializing in stories about interior design. You can reach her at jeaninematlow@earthlink.net.

 



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