Architect Dominique Lobjois of De Bilt Homes says designing a home is more than the physical things that go inside.
"Light and sound and air play a big role in these spaces," she said. "We don't realize it, but they do."
That's why Lobjois uses VELUX skylights in the homes she designs. Often skylights are not in the most obvious places either. In fact, one of her favorite locations for a skylight is at the top of a stairwell.
"They add an amazing amount of light and fabulous ventilation," she said. "Putting the skylight at the top of the stairs, helps draw air from the lower parts all the way up, so you feel air circulating through the house."
Air movement and natural light are essential to creating a retreat from everyday life. In the modern farmhouse profiled in this video, she placed a VELUX No Leak Solar Powered "Fresh Air" skylight at the top of the stairwell. When it’s open along with a window below, the air flow it creates makes air conditioning unnecessary. Natural light from the skylight also creates a design feature in the stairwell: it brings out the texture of the sisal-covered steps and the wood grain of cedar plank wall.
