Photos for lightwells on Dwell.com

"The fixed glass without a door really makes it feel like a room within the room, and the plastered walls allow a continuity of subtle texture from wet to dry areas," Lanigan says. The lightwell is connected to the roof deck above.

Lightwell

staircase & lightwell

Dining area and light-well window.

The guest bedroom faces one side of a lightwell.

There are many textures at play in the living room—the board-formed concrete ceiling, the light brick wall, wood paneling, and the terrazzo floors. "The texture of the timber is reflected in the concrete," says Peake. The lightwell adds an additional internal light source and another spot to insert greenery. The Vibia Palma wall sconce from Koda Lighting is affixed to the wall over the sofa.

The view from the kitchen-dining room shows the glassed-in, central garden lightwell, accessible via large sliders.

The floor of the study, which is located on the lower ground floor, is fitted with vibrant clay tiles that brighten the lightwells.

For privacy, the upper floors use lightwells instead of conventional windows to pull in natural light and fresh air.

Dining area between frosted glass light-well and Central Stair with Family Room and backyard beyond.

The interior consists entirely of exposed concrete accented by wood. The ground floor features double-height ceilings that maximize natural light from the lightwells above.

An existing lightwell was filled-in to create space for a concealed laundry area at the rear of the main bathroom. Soft natural light pours in from the skylight over the tub.

In the corner, a floating desk mimics the curve above, while a lightwell and pendant draw the eye up.

All of the main spaces, sandwiched between the garage and utility room and street, are brought to life by the natural light provided by the a new four-story light-well.

Pulltab’s ingenious skylit lightwells visible from the terrace Marcovitz and Geiger requested for the newly built-out second-floor roof terrace. The outdoor table is vintage Paul McCobb.

In the kitchen, Suzanne and her team opted for stainless steel along the countertops and backsplash. “It's a material that amplifies natural light while appearing more slender and lightweight compared to a thick stone slab,” she says. An aluminum-lined lightwell also hangs over the space. Photo by Kevin Scott

Like many San Francisco houses, 20th Street Lightwell had a zero lot line and no windows on the side. Blue Truck Studio completely gutted the interior for an extensive renovation and created an open floor plan on the top level for an airy and spacious feel.

A sheer curtain divides the living spaces as needed, while another lightwell directs sunlight into the dining area. “The pendant lights above the island and dining table are actually made of concrete, which I thought was a fun juxtaposition against the lightness of the room and general materials chosen,” Suzanne adds. Photo by Kevin Scott