Dezeen Magazine

Clinton Hill Courtyard House by O'Neill McVoy

10 homes that make clever use of lightwells to bring daylight in

We've selected 10 popular projects from Dezeen's Pinterest boards that show how lightwells can be used to channel daylight down into parts of the home where windows are limited.

Clinton Hill Courtyard House, USA, by O'Neill McVoy Architects

To breathe fresh air into this historic Brooklyn townhouse, New York studio O'Neill McVoy Architects carved out large skylights that funnel natural light in via a small indoor courtyard.

Find out more about Clinton Hill Courtyard House ›


House 304, Vietnam, by Kientruc O

To prevent this skinny Vietnamese townhouse from feeling cramped, Kientruc O designed a lightwell that spans its entire length, wrapped by curving, plant-filled balconies on each of the building's four floors.

Find out more about House 304 ›


Caroline Place, UK, by Amin Taha Architects

Amin Taha Architects revamped a 1950s terraced house in London by arranging rooms around a light-filled courtyard garden and adding an open-plan basement level.

Find out more about Caroline Place ›


Hidden House, UK, by Coffey Architects

This modest brick residence by Coffey Architects is named after its secluded location, but large skylights cut in a chequerboard pattern ensure the home remains brightly lit.

Find out more about Hidden House ›


H House, Vietnam, by VACO Design

The walls and ceiling of this concrete house in Ho Chi Minh City by VACO Design are perforated, thanks to a series of hollow blocks. They provide ventilation, flood an indoor swimming pool with natural daylight, and cast geometric shadows.

Find out more about H House ›


V13K05 House, Netherlands, by Pasel Kuenzel

Pasel Kuenzel came up with novel ideas to fill this Dutch home with light, including a large central atrium and a gravel-filled courtyard with sliding glass doors.

Find out more about V13K05 House ›


The Bookcase, Spain, by Nook Architects

A central lightwell serves daylight to the bathroom, kitchen and storage rooms of this renovated Barcelona apartment by Nook Architects, which also features restored tiles and glass partitions.

Find out more about The Bookcase ›


Sala em Pala, Portugal, by Nuno Melo Sousa

Nuno Melo Sousa built a single-storey extension in the former courtyard of this Portuguese house, using a glazed wall and a shingle-covered triangular lightwell to visually connect it with the terrace.

Find out more about Sala em Pala ›


Annandale House, Australia, by Welsh + Major

A lightwell separating this house in Sydney from its new extension allows the space to "breathe" according to Welsh + Major. It is topped with a retractable glazed roof so residents can adjust it themselves.

Find out more about Annandale House ›


Kamiuma House, Japan, Chop + Archi

To the street, this Tokyo house has an almost windowless facade. But its interiors are flooded with light thanks to triangular voids cut into the building's corners.

Find out more about Kamiuma House ›

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