27 Light-Loving Clerestory Windows
From capturing light and releasing heat to catching breezes, these high-placed windows are as smart as they are stylish
Georgia Madden
29 January 2020
Senior writer, Houzz Australia
Clerestory windows – essentially narrow windows placed above eye-level – date all the way back to Egyptian times and, since then, have lost none of their appeal. Contemporary architects use these slender, light-loving openings to flood dark rooms with daylight, boost cross ventilation and make small spaces appear bigger. Interested in incorporating them into your home design? Here are 27 examples from around the world to fuel your design thinking.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
1. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Alwill Interiors
Features: An asymmetrical opening near the ceiling captures light and peeps of nature.
Designer: Alwill Interiors
Features: An asymmetrical opening near the ceiling captures light and peeps of nature.
2. Location: Wollongong, NSW
Designer: LocalArchitect South Coast
Features: Operable clerestory windows boost light and airflow.
Designer: LocalArchitect South Coast
Features: Operable clerestory windows boost light and airflow.
3. Location: Perth, WA
Designer: Banham Architects
Features: Light and treetop views in one seamless package.
Are you ready to take the plunge? Find an architect near you on Houzz to help bring your dream home to life
Designer: Banham Architects
Features: Light and treetop views in one seamless package.
Are you ready to take the plunge? Find an architect near you on Houzz to help bring your dream home to life
4. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Features: Highlight windows that follow the lines of the cathedral ceiling. Beautiful and effective.
Designer: Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Features: Highlight windows that follow the lines of the cathedral ceiling. Beautiful and effective.
5. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Kube Constructions
Features: A mono-pitched roof creates space for interesting window shapes.
Designer: Kube Constructions
Features: A mono-pitched roof creates space for interesting window shapes.
6. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Clancy Constructions
Features: A sliver of light from above balances out this dark kitchen.
Designer: Clancy Constructions
Features: A sliver of light from above balances out this dark kitchen.
7. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: BENT Architecture
Features: A design that makes windows the star of the show while maximising cross ventilation.
Designer: BENT Architecture
Features: A design that makes windows the star of the show while maximising cross ventilation.
8. Location: Coogee, NSW
Designer: Bondi Kitchens
Features: High-placed louvre windows catch cooling breezes and draw in soft light – ideal for this coastal family home.
Designer: Bondi Kitchens
Features: High-placed louvre windows catch cooling breezes and draw in soft light – ideal for this coastal family home.
9. Location: Adelaide, SA
Designer: Anatoly Patrick Architecture
Features: High-placed windows with minimal frames allow for unobstructed treetop views, coupled with clerestories to the right.
Designer: Anatoly Patrick Architecture
Features: High-placed windows with minimal frames allow for unobstructed treetop views, coupled with clerestories to the right.
10. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Nimmo Nielsen Collective
Features: A long run of skinny clerestory windows with louvres boost ventilation.
Designer: Nimmo Nielsen Collective
Features: A long run of skinny clerestory windows with louvres boost ventilation.
11. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Atkinson Pontifex
Features: Positioning the windows near the ceiling draws in natural light while maintaining privacy.
Designer: Atkinson Pontifex
Features: Positioning the windows near the ceiling draws in natural light while maintaining privacy.
12. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Designer: Big House Little House
Features: Clerestory windows positioned around the room capture light from every angle.
Designer: Big House Little House
Features: Clerestory windows positioned around the room capture light from every angle.
13. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Warc Studio Architects
Features: A single, unobstructed pane of glass for this clerestory window maximises light and views.
Designer: Warc Studio Architects
Features: A single, unobstructed pane of glass for this clerestory window maximises light and views.
14. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Designer: Shaun Lockyer Architects
Features: High-placed timber-framed windows create a sense of connection between the kitchen and garden.
Designer: Shaun Lockyer Architects
Features: High-placed timber-framed windows create a sense of connection between the kitchen and garden.
15. Location: Canberra, ACT
Designer: The Dept of Design
Features: A medley of highlight windows in different shapes adds a touch of the unexpected to this scheme and makes the most of the light available.
Designer: The Dept of Design
Features: A medley of highlight windows in different shapes adds a touch of the unexpected to this scheme and makes the most of the light available.
16. Location: Canberra, ACT
Features: Warm timber frames set against bright white walls draw the eye to the striking window shapes.
Features: Warm timber frames set against bright white walls draw the eye to the striking window shapes.
17. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Excelsior Master Builder
Features: The irregular shape of this window echoes the unusual lines of the ceiling for a balanced feel.
Designer: Excelsior Master Builder
Features: The irregular shape of this window echoes the unusual lines of the ceiling for a balanced feel.
18. Location: Hamilton Island, Queensland
Designer: Renato D’Ettorre Architects
Features: Highlight windows designed to optimise that killer outlook.
Designer: Renato D’Ettorre Architects
Features: Highlight windows designed to optimise that killer outlook.
19. Location: Sydney, NSW
Features: Generous clerestory windows ensure this kitchen feels bright and cheery long after the sun has reached its peak.
Features: Generous clerestory windows ensure this kitchen feels bright and cheery long after the sun has reached its peak.
20. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Justin Loe Architects
Features: A ceiling void framed by clerestory windows gives the entire open-plan space the illusion of greater height.
Designer: Justin Loe Architects
Features: A ceiling void framed by clerestory windows gives the entire open-plan space the illusion of greater height.
21. Location: North Bondi, NSW
Designer: Tobias Partners
Features: An artful interplay of light and shadow courtesy of these well-placed windows.
Designer: Tobias Partners
Features: An artful interplay of light and shadow courtesy of these well-placed windows.
22. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Studio Tom
Features: Black-framed highlight windows wrap around the room and draw in light from all sides.
Designer: Studio Tom
Features: Black-framed highlight windows wrap around the room and draw in light from all sides.
23. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Matt Gibson Architecture + Design
Features: Huge openings and expanses of glass connect indoors and out.
Designer: Matt Gibson Architecture + Design
Features: Huge openings and expanses of glass connect indoors and out.
25. Location: Adelaide, SA
Designer: Rebecca Ryan Architect
Features: Proof that clerestory windows don’t have to be huge to make an impact.
Designer: Rebecca Ryan Architect
Features: Proof that clerestory windows don’t have to be huge to make an impact.
26. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Studio Tom
Features: Operable clerestory windows on opposite sides of the room boost cross ventilation and help keep this home cool naturally.
Designer: Studio Tom
Features: Operable clerestory windows on opposite sides of the room boost cross ventilation and help keep this home cool naturally.
27. Location: Orange County, USA
Features: Wide, charcoal window frames make a statement and pick up on the room’s dark accents.
Your turn
Which of these windows could you imagine in your home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more design inspiration? Don’t miss 26 Fun-Filled Modern Playrooms
Features: Wide, charcoal window frames make a statement and pick up on the room’s dark accents.
Your turn
Which of these windows could you imagine in your home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more design inspiration? Don’t miss 26 Fun-Filled Modern Playrooms
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Now with double and triple glazing, there isn't much stopping you using these windows in lots of locations around the home.
I have a 14foot high wall & envision one day louvre windows around about 12 foot up so as I still have room to hang my art underneath & take maxim control of the cross ventilation.
I have a Large 8 pane cathedral window in entry hall. 6 metres up. Any advice on some sort of window treatment? It allows extreme heat and direct sunlight in summer.