Oriel window

An oriel window is a form of bay window which protrudes from the main wall of a building but does not reach to the ground. Supported by corbels, brackets, or similar cantilevers, an oriel window generally projects from an upper floor, but is also sometimes used on the ground floor.

Etymology

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term oriel is derived from Anglo-Norman oriell and Late Latin oriolum, both meaning "gallery" or "porch", perhaps from Classical Latin aulaeum.

History

Oriel windows became popular in the 15th century. They allowed more sunlight into a room than did conventional windows, and were therefore popular in northern countries such as England. They also could increase the usable space in a house without changing the footprint of the building.
Oriel windows are seen in Arab architecture in the form of mashrabiya and in Turkish are known as şahnişin or cumba. In Islamic culture, these windows and balconies project from the street-front of a house, providing an area in which women could peer out and see the activities below whilst remaining out of line-of-sight.

Notable examples

Oriel College, Oxford, took its name from a balcony or oriel window forming a feature of a building which occupied the site the college now stands on.
Oriel Chambers in Liverpool was a very controversial building when it was built, featuring an entire façade of glass oriel windows.
Schaffhausen in Switzerland is also called "the city of 171 oriel windows", followed by St. Gallen with 111 oriel windows.