The use of skylights in architecture dates back to ancient civilizations. One of the most famous examples is at the Pantheon in Rome, where a 27-foot-wide oculus in the dome’s center floods the temple with a glorious, otherworldly glow. These 18 homes around the world embrace a centuries-old design choice, while also putting a new spin on the overhead window.

An Oceanside Cottage in Cornwall, England, Features Multiple Skylights and a Grass Roof

An Architect’s Bright and Airy Family Home Thrives Within a Brutalist Concrete Structure

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A Metalworker’s Renovated London Apartment Feels Larger Than Its 576 Square Feet

A Pyramidal, Metal-Clad House Makes the Most of Space and Light

A 20-Foot Skylight Transforms a Jumbled Chicago Residence

This Japanese Island House Blurs the Indoor/Outdoor Divide

A Charming Loft in Berlin Boasts a Bath With a View

A Minimal Residence in Japan Features Large Skylights on the Upper Level

A Curvilinear California Home Takes Cues From Case Study Houses and Eichlers

A Tattered Brooklyn Brownstone Is Brought Back to Life With Big Doses of Color

A Rentable Live/Work Space Shows Off Its Playful Pizzazz in London

A White-Oak Staircase With a Skylight Defines This Manhattan Townhouse

Circular Skylights Let the Landscape Grow Through This Concrete Home in India

This Dynamic Australian Dwelling Angles for Epic Views

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A Curvaceous Home in Chile Cuts a Dramatic Figure

Two Czech Architects Design a Bohemian Geothermal Residence With Intersecting Angles

A Family Home in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Emphasizes Sunlight and Privacy

A Pastoral Home in Austria Blends Basic Shapes With Rich Details

Architect Sven Matt designed this 1,600-square-foot home in the hilly west Austrian town of Bregenzerwald for his brother, Björn, and sister-in-law, Julia. A skylight floods the spruce-clad loft with light during daytime and offers uninhibited views of the stars at night." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Adolf Bereuter" photoUserId="6133459858461863936"/>

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18 Luminous Homes With Interesting Skylights

A Gumby-Green Floor Adds Playful Pizzazz to This Rentable Studio in London