In private homes and penthouses, the skylight is now considered an almost essential design element. It allows direct natural light, emphasizes height, and enhances the sense of space – sometimes more than any other design feature. Whether located on the top floor or above public spaces such as the living room, kitchen, or staircase, its greatest advantage is complete control over the location, direction, and size of the opening, enabling precise planning of light throughout the day.
According to architect Oranit Buchalter, natural light is a raw material in every sense. “Through the skylight, we sculpt the space and create an infinite sense of openness even in the most unexpected places,” she says.
In urban apartments, the challenge is more complex, but here too the skylight occupies a significant place, mainly above internal spaces without direct windows – corridors, bathrooms, interior kitchens, or passage areas. In these apartments, the recommendation is to work with small, controlled openings, insulated glass, and radiation filtering, so that one can enjoy the light without overheating or glare. While in a private home the skylight may become a dramatic element dictating the overall design language of the house, in an urban apartment it serves as a smart tool to improve quality of life and turn an enclosed space into a bright and pleasant one.
Wall Washing with Light
Interior designer Guy Buchalter emphasizes that simply being able to look up and see clouds or stars from within the home adds a dimension of calm and luxury that is difficult to achieve otherwise. To truly make the skylight a luxury element, he recommends using advanced techniques. One of these is “Wall Washing,” which highlights the textures of concrete or stone and creates a living, dynamic wall that changes throughout the day.
Other techniques include creating ceiling recesses and hidden LED lighting around the opening, which prevent a “black hole” effect at night, or using a narrow, linear skylight that follows movement in the home and creates a precise architectural rhythm. In open spaces, the skylight helps define areas without using walls: Its placement above a kitchen island or dining area creates a halo that marks the center of gravity of the home, while in bathrooms it provides a relaxing spa-like feeling – all while maintaining complete privacy.
Ultimately, the success of the skylight depends on early planning, adaptation to the climate, and integration of proper shading solutions, ensuring that the light remains an advantage rather than becoming a drawback. “A skylight is not just a hole in the ceiling, but a living work of art,” summarizes architect Oranit Buchalter. “It requires precise planning, but the result makes the home dynamic, bright, and breathable at all hours of the day.”
Finally, Ronit Lang, CEO of Porcelanosa Israel, adds that the skylight creates a fascinating encounter between natural light and material. According to her, the combination of sanitary fixtures in chrome and stainless steel finishes completes the scene, with the light from above highlighting their beauty and giving them a soft, elegant shine that enhances the sophisticated simplicity of the design.