Need ideas for out-of-reach window

While we were doing the roof, we finally managed to persuade my other half had this amazing idea of opening up the top half of the old door on the upper part of the gable end of the wall. It makes a vast difference to the air flow, and temperature, of the house during the hot summer months. This is what it looks like at the moment.



The house is going to be open plan with the beams exposed, but we can't leave a gaping hole in the wall like that - it's going to need an open-able window, fitted with a mosquito screen, and ideally it needs to be easily openable from ground level. Even with a long pole I can see me accidentally smashing the glass a few times over the next few decades. My other half would love to make a window out of wood, but we're a bit stuck on a design. What are my options for opening such a high window? Could it be fitted with an automatic opener like the sort they have on greenhouses? Or would it need a winding thing lower down? I don't really want to go for electric or hi-tec stuff if I can avoid it. I thought maybe a hopper style window where the top bit hinges inwards and then hits a stop. If anyone has any links to appropriate devices, or designs for windows, or any ideas at all, I'd love to hear them.

Would a loft or wide spot up against that wall be possible? Maybe book shelves surrounding that window for a private reading spot, then just open and close the window by hand..... or some type of pulley system you could operate from below.

Just thinking out loud. I love to use every nook and cranny (the British in me).

The automatic greenhouse openers fail after a few years. You might be able to get a handy friend to build you a mechanical opener such as were used in old houses for high transoms. Seems like in our old farmhouse we had some kind of long arm with a lever, attached to the wall. I know we didn't have the pole kind...

Here it is! http://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/transom-window-hardware-operator?sc=12&category=79

Use a rack and pinion. The rack converts circular motion from the pinion into linear motion. Attach the rack to the bottom of the window and hinge the top so the bottom is pushed out/pulled in. Though this doesn't give the best airflow it provides the best protection if you're out, forget the window or asleep when a storm arises as it will minimize ingress of water. If that isn't a concern put the rack and hinges on the side of the window. Attach the pinion to a rod that hangs down to easy reach and put a 90 degree bent handle in the rod like an old style brace and bit. If you want the window to open wide you may need to add a linkage with a pivot to the rack depending on how much you want the window to open. now everything is permanently attached so no risk of breaking the window. Variants of this idea can use a threaded rod and pulley or a simple hinged lever.

Hinge the window from the top, allow it to swing inward, rope on the bottom corner connected to a pulley on the ceiling, with a place to tie the rope off on one of the walls. make the window marginally heavy and it will keep itself closed until you pull the rope and tie it off. You could even put an arm on the window that would bring the weight out further from the wall to ensure a tight seal.