We owe balconies so much – but we don’t really pay them any mind.
Ever since the rediscovery of geopolymers such as concrete enabled the vertical stacking of floor space, the balcony has served, largely unacknowledged, as a stage for heads of states, pontiffs, and star-crossed lovers.
You know, those two in fair Verona. Image source: unsplash.com
Despite the many stories with pivotal moments unfolding on these precarious yet highly sought-after architectural features, there has probably never been a time when such a high proportion of people around the world have become as familiar with their balconies as in the year 2020.
You know, because of the pandemic. Image source: unsplash.com
Now more than ever, with balconies serving as semi-public stages for quarantined musicians and mental lifesavers for affluent cruise ship passengers, we have been forcibly reintroduced to the value of balconies in our daily lives. That is, if you happen to have the luxury of a balcony – and managed to resist the urge of turning it into storage space.
Why do we insist on incorporating balconies into buildings? Hanging a bit of floor space out in the elements, especially in the time preceding reinforced concrete, must have seemed like a basket of assorted challenges not worth pursuing – at least not without considerable motivations.
The primary motivation, as in the case of imperial Rome, being a convenient way to address the plebians – or for the rest of us, to access natural light, fresh air, and novel stimuli. Image source: unsplash.com
Before concrete made the cantilevered slab easier to construct, and consequently, more common in our built landscapes, there used to be some serious engineering problems that accompanied the incorporation of a balcony into a building – along with the persistent concerns of weatherproofing and securing these intermediate spaces against intrusions or unfortunate exits.
That view is certainly worth something. Image source: unsplash.com
A balcony cools interior spaces, gets light into a building, allows us to experience the sensations of the outdoors without actually having to risk going outside, and provides a temporary reprieve from the enclosing walls of interior spaces – an obvious necessity in the realm of cookie-cutter homes.
Everyone gets one, but for various reasons, people rarely use them. Image source: unsplash.com
Given the long history and clear purpose of the humble balcony, it seems prudent to celebrate their inclusion in the designs of our homes by resisting the urge to use it as storage space or wall it in – especially if you’re fortunate enough to have found a balcony with an ideal orientation.
The view obviously counts for a lot, but that ponding water is gross and warrants a chat with the developer about defect liability periods. Image source: unsplash.com
If the orientation is less than ideal, too much sunlight could be resolved with a shade, sail, or set of blinds – while a mediocre view could be relegated to the background with screens or louvres. Unwelcoming floors could be repaved or covered entirely, while bland finishes could be complemented with intricate forms.
In the case of this particular balcony, the view doesn’t matter so much. Image source: unsplash.com
With a minimal sprinkling of plants, along with some weatherproof art, furniture, and the paraphernalia of your pastimes, after just a few tweaks, you’ve got a balcony that you may never want to leave.
(Writen by Kevin Eichenberger, 1st December 2020)
Kevin Eichenberger honours his balcony with a single chair, a side table, and an assortment of bottle terrariums.