In today's blog, we’re exploring skylights and three ways to integrate them in your home or office.
Whenever possible, we love incorporating skylights in our projects. They have the potential to completely transform a space. From creating a brighter and more inviting atmosphere to reducing energy costs, skylights offer a plethora of benefits for both homes and offices. Here is our breakdown on why skylights are a game-changer for modern living and working spaces:
Skylights bring in natural light, immediately making a space brighter and more vibrant
Incorporating natural light into your environment has a profound impact on the overall aesthetics of your space. It has been proven to boose productivity and enhance moods. Skylights act as perfect portals, allowing sunlight to flood into your home or office, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Playing with the positioning of the rafters and mullions that form their frames, can also help create lovely and dynamic patterns that change with the time of day.
These are especially good architectural solutions to transform odd shaped corners or boring corridors, as they immediately open up the space.
Skylights make rooms more energy efficient
Skylights are great mood boosters
Customisation and design options
Skylights can be made in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, making them a versatile addition to any space. Whether you prefer fixed, vented, tubular, or flat roof skylights, there's an option to suit your unique style and architectural preferences.
Here are three design alternatives to seamlessly integrate skylights into green-field projects or existing structures:
Fixed Skylights, Installed at an Angle or Flat on the Roof
(Great for stairwells and bathrooms)
A patterned terracotta jali wall cuts the sharp daylight to cast some fun geometric shadows in Architect Amirah Ahamed's home in Bangalore. This is a lovely detail that uses natural light to both brighten and decorate an otherwise minimal stairwell.
Image Source: Singh, Shrishti (2020) "White walls, exposed brick and cement finishes are the all-pervasive trio of this eco-conscious Bangalore home". Photographed by Sebastian, Justin. Architectural Digest: https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/white-walls-exposed-brick-cement-finishes-pervasive-trio-eco-conscious-bengaluru-home/
Bathrooms that use fixed skylights (installed at an angle or flat), to bring in natural light and open up their small volumes.
Image Source (left): Bathing Solutions (2023) "25 Bathroom Ceiling Ideas to Transform Your Bathroom". Bathing Solutions: https://www.bathingsolutions.co.uk/blog/inspiration/bathroom-ceiling-ideas/
Image Source (right): Pintrest: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/303641199894501353/
A grid frame fitted with frosted glass forms a beautiful skylight that illuminates the kitchen of Architect Anik Pearson's project titled the Salt Gulch Ranch, with soft diffused natural light. A great way to use skylights to create even tone lighting throughout the day.
Image Source: Architect, Anik Pearson (no date) "Salt Gulch Ranch". Photographed by Schlechter, Annie. Anik Pearson Architect: https://aparch.net/work/salt-gulch-ranch/
Skylights That are Contiguous with Windows
(Great for offices with a view)
A modern office that uses full height windows contiguous with a skylight to maximise the use of natural light; immediately creates a bright and open environment that seems to blend into the outdoors creating a great space to work in.
Image Source: Space Sense Studios (2019) "An interior designer's own space". Space Sense Studios: https://spacesensestudio.com.sg/lens_portfolio/landed-house-design/
Pitched Roof Skylights
(Great for corridors and kitchens)
Just imagine the corridor and kitchen features above without their skylights. Wouldn't they look much smaller, closed in, and darker? Just opening them out to the sky has brought in so much light, life and warmth.
Designed by Olson Kundig (left), and Ralph Anderson (right).
Image Source (left): Architonic (2017) "Sequoia Point). Photographed by Leitz, Aaron. Architonic: https://www.architonic.com/en/project/olson-kundig-sequoia-point/20116200#&gid=null&pid=5
Image Source (right): Sub-Zero (2024) "Regional Award Winner KDC 2013-14". Sub-Zero: https://www.subzero-wolf.com/inspiration/kitchens/mercer-island-residence
PS: While we personally love skylights, we do caution against using them in certain locations in India as having large glass panels (especially if installed flat or facing the south or west directions) could cause significant heat gain during the summers. This means you will need to add additional cooling power to your ACs or HVAC system. But if the pros of bringing in natural light weigh out the cons of heat gain, then we try our best to work around this by playing with the angle at which light enters the room through the skylight (so that we use more diffused natural light rather than direct sunlight). We also try to layer the skylight with design elements that can add a play of light and shadow while also providing some relief from direct sun exposure indoors.
In conclusion, skylights are a fantastic investment for those looking to enhance the ambiance, energy efficiency, and overall well-being of their homes and offices. From the visual appeal of natural light to the long-term cost savings, the advantages are clear.
Take the leap and brighten up your space with the timeless beauty of skylights – a decision that will undoubtedly leave a lasting, positive impact on your daily life. Contact us to get started!
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