Sausalito often comes back to beckon me. I have these photos to remember how charming it was. I know I have many more neighborhoods there to explore, but the houseboats will always speak to my heart. This one such a strong cottage type of design with the deep aqua colour with the white trim caught my eye. It was immaculate and fresh and I had to resist the urge to peek in the windows..

Featured in CALIFORNIA SOUND group 13 April 2011

Clearstory windows
I especially like these “clearstory” windows that let in the ambient light. Clearstory windows have been used by architects and builders for centuries. A clearstory window is essentially any window that is placed up high in a room or space specifically intended to admit daylight.. Clearstory windows preserve privacy in a room while still allowing it to be lit naturally. They focus your attention on the sky and the changing weather patterns without the distraction that lower placed windows create. In the past they allowed natural light into spaces before the invention of electric light and skylights.
They offer many advantages when used in today’s modern buildings: natural light, privacy, energy efficiency and cost effectiveness. They are energy efficient because they allow daylight to replace electric lights and when shaded properly do not allow for direct sun rays to enter a room. This is a big difference from a skylight that allows all of the suns rays to enter a room which causes overheating in the summer. Also clearstory windows do not need special glass like skylights do to make them safe from breaking and falling, therefore they cost less than an equal size skylight. For these reason they are a
good alternative to more expensive skylights.