The Glorious Benefits of Skylights

If you step into the Pantheon in Rome, you’ll notice that a sense of grandeur prevails. All eyes focus upward, to a single opening that floods the volume with light.

Within the upper region of any dome — whether it’s in the Pantheon or it’s the natural dome of sky we experience outdoors — there’s an imaginary point directly above the observer, called the zenith. If you happen to be inside an enclosed space and add an opening at this point, chances are that you’ll be flooded with natural light.

Whether you use an oculus, like at the Pantheon, or just a skylight or high window, an overhead light is a great way to add drama to a space or to highlight an architectural element.

The natural light from the oculus in the Pantheon adds a sense of mystery and importance. We can put this same centuries-old technique to work in our houses today.


Zenithal light is a historic notion that continues to be reinvented in creative ways. A skylight can get a modern twist through simple shapes or bright colors, as in this one in the Kent Modern House, photographed by Michael Biondo.


Beams can turn one large opening into a succession of openings, giving the light source a more approachable scale.


This living-dining area is defined by a succession of small openings. Locating the apertures near a wall gives the light a surface to fall onto, adding another layer of visual interest.


Skylights not only allow light in, but they can provide a visual connection to the exterior — in this case views of branches arcing overhead.


This unexpected skylight allows zenithal light to illuminate the head of the bed during the day and provides a visual portal to the stars at night.


There are two benefits of using overhead natural light in a bathroom: It provides a tranquil ambience, and it provides privacy, whereas a regular window might not.


On an overcast day, a soft wash of zenithal light cascades across the surrounding walls, as in the back of this shower.


Shadows create a dynamic, ever-changing pattern here.


Filtered light suffuses this room, creating a sense of play and mystery as it reflects off walls and pools of water.


Natural light can help define areas of a home. Here a built-in bench is illuminated by a linear skylight directly overhead.


Gradations of light wash over this textured stone wall. Ascending a stair into a luminous zone is a very poetic (some might say heavenly) notion.


Playful shadows can result when architectural elements like these beams slice through a long strip skylight.


Looking up toward the source of zenithal light can be a pleasure, too. The smooth reflection of cascading light here is both soothing and mesmerizing.





Placing a skylight on the upper deck of a roof (previous photo) makes it easy to access if maintenance is needed. Skylights can also offer an interactive experience between an upper deck and the interior below; here they let viewers peer inside.


Small punches of light at the top of this modern interior create a Zen-like space that evolves as the day progresses.

More: Look to the Sun for More of Your Home’s Lighting

URL: The Glorious Benefits of Skylights http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-22115.html