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Collection by Zach Edelson

Skylights in Modern Homes

A skylight is only technically a window; it offers a unique skyward view and brings light vertically into a space. This means a bright patch of blue, grey, or white in the ceiling whose illumination can fall directly upon a room or be diffused by a wall. To see the skylight's full potential, explore these 10 examples.

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Skylights add to the apparent volume of the space, as well as performing the practical duty of providing light.
Skylights add to the apparent volume of the space, as well as performing the practical duty of providing light.
Save for a new fan and a coat of oil on its pine floors, the original living room remains unchanged. The master bathroom, however, has been completely refurbished with Scala accessories and a Duravit Happy D wall basin. Both rooms are brightened by skylights carved into the roof.
Save for a new fan and a coat of oil on its pine floors, the original living room remains unchanged. The master bathroom, however, has been completely refurbished with Scala accessories and a Duravit Happy D wall basin. Both rooms are brightened by skylights carved into the roof.
Zoe and Jake horse around in their parents’ new master bedroom. Issa says he vaulted the ceiling to fit under the addition’s angular roofline for “spatial impact.” Paint is Extra White by Sherwin-Williams.
Zoe and Jake horse around in their parents’ new master bedroom. Issa says he vaulted the ceiling to fit under the addition’s angular roofline for “spatial impact.” Paint is Extra White by Sherwin-Williams.
The skylight window framing views of trees is from the Velux FCM Series; the paint is Harmony from Sherwin Williams. Courtesy of Richard Leo Johnson / Atlantic Archives Inc.
The skylight window framing views of trees is from the Velux FCM Series; the paint is Harmony from Sherwin Williams. Courtesy of Richard Leo Johnson / Atlantic Archives Inc.
The subway tile-lined bathroom was kept as simple as possible, with Hansgrohe fixtures and cabinets made of vertical-grain Douglas fir above a top-mounted Duravit sink. Since installing a window was unfeasible given the bathroom's proximity to other properties, Storey added a skylight over the shower.
The subway tile-lined bathroom was kept as simple as possible, with Hansgrohe fixtures and cabinets made of vertical-grain Douglas fir above a top-mounted Duravit sink. Since installing a window was unfeasible given the bathroom's proximity to other properties, Storey added a skylight over the shower.
Bedmar worked with CAPÓ Estudio to refine the interiors. The existing concrete slab ceiling was replaced with glass to let natural light enter.
Bedmar worked with CAPÓ Estudio to refine the interiors. The existing concrete slab ceiling was replaced with glass to let natural light enter.
The clients embraced the material because it is kidproof—any marks can be cleaned easily and the matte finish resists fingerprints. The structure was built off-site, brought into the apartment in pieces, installed on a wooden skeleton, and then sanded over a three-day period to achieve a seamless integration with the back wall and the skylight overhead. “It’s kind of a melting design that comes from above and goes down the shelves,” says Schoenenberger.
The clients embraced the material because it is kidproof—any marks can be cleaned easily and the matte finish resists fingerprints. The structure was built off-site, brought into the apartment in pieces, installed on a wooden skeleton, and then sanded over a three-day period to achieve a seamless integration with the back wall and the skylight overhead. “It’s kind of a melting design that comes from above and goes down the shelves,” says Schoenenberger.
The architects had to gain approval from the co-op board to break through to the roof—the loft is on the top floor—and add a terrace and master bedroom suite.
The architects had to gain approval from the co-op board to break through to the roof—the loft is on the top floor—and add a terrace and master bedroom suite.
Just above the small entrance vestibule, he incorporated a skylight, which brightens the space and allows a peek at the apex of the adjacent roof’s concrete overhang.
Just above the small entrance vestibule, he incorporated a skylight, which brightens the space and allows a peek at the apex of the adjacent roof’s concrete overhang.