Private oasis

The owners of a private residence in East Dulwich used Glazing Vision’s Flushglaze rooflights to bring daylight into the property’s open-plan interiors.

Stephen Blowers, the client and co-founder of Designcubed Architects , had to prioritise the design aspirations for this eco-friendly house. Unable to build upwards, and restricted by the planners to respect the building line and brickwork of the surrounding neighbourhood, Blowers decided on a geometric courtyard concept.

The exterior walls, composed of traditional blockwork and brick, were built to the outer perimeter of the plot, with courtyard areas created in the two corners diagonally opposite one another. These inner courtyard areas provide a quiet, private oasis and are enclosed by the flanks of the living quarters.

Stephen invested in large amounts of glazing in the form of bifold doors out to the courtyards, floor-to-ceiling windows elsewhere, and two precision-engineered, Flushglaze rooflights from Glazing Vision.

With their lack of visible internal framework these rooflights have not only added to the sense of airiness and height inside the property, but also enhanced its modern aesthetic.

The glazing brightens the interior spaces below and negates the need for artificial light during the day.

One rooflight runs the length of the wide, entrance hallway, providing a bridge to the open-plan kitchen-diner at the centre of the house. The other rooflight is located to one side of the adjoining, ‘sunken living room, bringing natural daylight to the rear wall of this space.