'Kaleidoscope House' gets its name from the extensive use of mirrors on its interior, especially covering the exposed staircase that rises through the center of the open-concept ground floor. The staircase's balustrade is coated in reflective metal, and as one rises the mirrors move closer together, offering up increasingly involuted views of the interior, like in a funhouse.
Aside from the interesting visual effects, an added benefit of the mirrors is that they spread light throughout the home. Located in Toronto, the winters in the area have short days with limited sunlight, so Kaleidoscope House's interior smartly maximizes the little natural light available. Further, the outside of the home features slats that channel sunlight inward during the later hours of the day while blocking the heat of the Sun while the it's strongest.
Mirrored Interior Staircases
Paul Raff Architects Designed 'Kaleidoscope House' to Bounce Light
Trend Themes
1. Mirrored Interior Design - Designing interior spaces using significant mirror surfaces to brighten and expand living spaces.
2. Reflective Structures - Using reflective materials in the construction of buildings to enhance natural lighting and reduce energy costs.
3. Innovative Staircase Design - Creating visually appealing, functional, and energy-efficient staircases with unique design elements.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architects can explore the use of reflective materials in buildings to create natural light-filled structures, maximizing natural light and energy efficiency.
2. Interior Design - Interior designers can use mirrors creatively to create visually stunning and light-filled spaces.
3. Sustainable Building - Sustainable building can incorporate reflective materials and mirror surfaces in construction projects to reduce energy costs and enhance natural lighting.