When it comes to architecture, windows are never just windows. They frame views, bring in light, connect inside and out, and define the character of a space. For architects, choosing the right window system is a design decision as critical as any other. In this guide, we break down what you need to consider when specifying windows beyond aesthetics. From minimal frames to performance under pressure, this is your essential reference.

In architecture and design, aesthetics is often misunderstood as a matter of visual appeal alone. However, aesthetics is not just about what looks good; it’s about what feels right, what functions well, and what communicates meaning. It represents the intersection of form, context, and intention. Aesthetics influences every aspect of space, from how it’s perceived to how it’s used. It shapes the emotional and functional experience of architecture. When Does Aesthetics Begin? Aesthetic thinking begins from the first moment of conception, even before the first sketch. It guides decision-making throughout the design and building process. Every material chosen, every joint concealed, and every transition resolved reflects aesthetic intent. In minimalist architecture, where every element is exposed and purposeful, this becomes even more critical. When complexity is removed, aesthetics must bear the weight of both design and function. There’s no room for noise, only clarity.

We invited the renowned architect Gloria Cabra l to share her vision of the window, an essential architectural element. In this exclusive piece, she reflects on how openings go beyond their practical function, transforming into portals of light, connection, and new beginnings, revealing the profound poetry embedded in the act of design. Janelar “Airing out our spaces, letting the wind flow through them, creating ventanas (Spanish), making wind’s eyes— windows (English, from vindauga, Old Norse), or pores in the walls, fenêtre, finestra, fenster (French, Italian, German). I imagine this has been architecture’s desire since the occupation of caves, since the first huts, this original yearning for openings. Later, with new materials, the entry of light became possible: sometimes through flattened horns, other times stretched skins or even paper. With the discovery of glass, a new world of possibilities opened. But in Portuguese, the way we name it is different: Janela , derived from Januella, the diminutive of janua A small door, a little portal. Janela comes from the Roman god Janus, the god of beginnings and endings, transitions and decisions, the same god who opens the year in January. So, to imagine a Janela in a project is to express the beginning of something, the start of a landscape, a sky, a light, scents, or new winds. Designing a Janela is choosing what we want to see, how we want to start the day, what light we invite in, and how it enters. Windows are the instruments connecting us to what surrounds the work. And in Galicia, there’s an even lovelier word: Janelar . It turns sitting by a window and contemplating into a verb. To me, Janelar is to open a portal between inside and outside, past and future, memories, and desires.”

In an era where urban density often distances us from the natural world, biophilic home design reconnects us to its source. It’s a philosophy, a return to the organic connection between people and place. Rooted in the belief that human well-being flourishes when surrounded by nature, biophilic design invites light, air, water, and greenery into the very structure of our daily lives. It softens boundaries, dissolves barriers, and opens interiors to the healing presence of the outdoors. At OTIIMA, we see minimal frames not just as tools of transparency, but as portals to presence. Our systems are about dissolving walls, not simply through glass, but through feeling. Biophilic design is based on the idea that humans thrive when connected to nature. In residential architecture, this translates into the thoughtful use of natural materials, ample daylight, fresh air circulation, and the integration of plants and outdoor views. When applied effectively, these elements improve comfort, boost mental clarity, and support overall well-being, turning a house into a healthier and more balanced living environment. Here are three houses where OTIIMA becomes the quiet conduit between architecture and nature: Touching Eden House | Wallflower Architecture + Design Singapore

Elevated above the urban landscape of Ghent, a private residence by Glenn Sestig Architects reinterprets the interaction between architecture and its atmospheric context. This apartment exemplifies architectural innovation and meditative design, transcending mere functionalism to emphasize the essential.  The architectural language is characterized by clarity, featuring clean lines and monolithic surfaces that establish a sophisticated aesthetic. A minimalist palette comprising travertine walls, smooth concrete ceilings, and soft beige flooring provides a cohesive backdrop for the living spaces. The interiors are fundamentally influenced by natural light rather than ornamental elements, demonstrating a meticulous approach to geometry, proportion, and detail.

The 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, curated by Italian architect and MIT professor Carlo Ratti, opened this year under the provocative theme “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective”. At the intersection of these forms of intelligence stands architecture, and, quite literally, the hands that bring it to life. Among the many national pavilions and installations taking center stage in Venice, two remarkable projects stand out for their strong conceptual vision and technical precision. Both were made possible by the expert collaboration of Portuguese-based ArtWorks.  Eco Folie: Rethinking Survival Architecture in the Atacama Desert Designed by Chilean architects Pedro Alonso and Pamela Prado, Deserta Ecofolie is a minimalist housing prototype created for one of the most extreme environments on Earth: the Atacama Desert. With a just 16 square meters footprint, this compact structure is a statement of resilience and innovation.

In the heart of Lisbon, where the city begins to rise and the river still whispers in the distance, a new residential building stands with confidence. Bow, designed by Ana Costa Arquitetura and developed by Prime Portugal, redefines what it means to live above the Marquês de Pombal.  Bow opens to Lisbon’s shifting light and long horizons from the upper levels. Its form embraces the curvature of the landscape, while its architecture speaks in soft, decisive lines. Within those lines, OTIIMA plays a leading role.

There is a particular kind of silence in Mediterranean architecture. A silence made of sun-bleached walls, filtered light passing through wooden slats, and open courtyards that breathe with the wind. Today, this timeless language is being rewritten—minimal, restrained, and yet deeply rooted in the rituals of the land. A Tradition Reinvented Modern Mediterranean architecture doesn’t mimic the past. It refines it. The terracotta is still warm, the limestone still rough, but now the lines are sharper, the spaces more fluid. Architects are reclaiming the vernacular, not as nostalgia, but as a source of resilience, comfort, and sensory clarity. Its architecture is made to age with grace. Made for slowness, for texture, for shadow.

At the heart of every Laney LA project lies the pursuit of something greater, timeless yet undeniably fresh. In SC Residence, the Los Angeles-based studio partnered with OTIIMA to push boundaries in aesthetics and performance. We sat down with the architects behind the project to discuss their approach, the power of collaboration, and how innovation can shape the cities of tomorrow. A Practice Rooted in Time and Experimentation For Laney LA, design is not simply a choice between old and new; it’s about finding the balance between the two. “Our studio is constantly searching for a design that embodies timelessness and innovation. Timelessness includes staying power and that rare ability to remain relevant over time. Innovation feeds our curiosity as we are oriented toward noticing new ideas.” This mindset requires continually questioning conventional design norms. Which rules are worth preserving, and which are meant to be broken? For Laney LA, the tension between the two is where meaningful architecture begins.