Architecture

Brighten up your Home

By Dan Pyzer-Knapp

Our Top 5 ways to Maximise Natural Light in your home.

Natural light is one of the most powerful tools in residential architecture, shaping the way a home looks, feels and functions. Thoughtfully designed spaces that maximise daylight can enhance wellbeing, improve the perception of space and create bright, welcoming interiors throughout the day.

Whether renovating a period property or designing a contemporary extension, bringing more natural light into your home is about far more than aesthetics. Here, we explore five architectural strategies to maximise natural light and transform the way you experience your home.

Contemporary white villa with planted terrace and full height glazing

Consider the orientation.

The orientation of a home is one of the most influential factors in maximising natural daylight. Thoughtful architectural planning ensures that living spaces benefit from sunlight at the times they are used most.

South-facing rooms enjoy consistent daylight throughout the day, creating bright, welcoming interiors, while east-facing spaces capture the soft morning sun, making them ideal for bedrooms and breakfast areas. West-facing rooms are perfectly positioned to enjoy the warm evening light, making them well suited to living and entertaining spaces.

By carefully considering orientation from the outset, architects can create homes that feel brighter, more comfortable and better connected to the natural rhythm of the day.

Let the light in.

Large areas of glazing are one of the most effective ways to bring natural light into a home. Expansive windows, sliding doors and bi-fold doors blur the boundary between inside and out, allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the interior while strengthening the connection to gardens and outdoor spaces. When carefully integrated into the architectural design, these glazed elements can make living spaces feel brighter, larger and more open throughout the year.

To ensure long-term comfort, glazing should be carefully specified to balance daylight with thermal performance. Compliance with Part O of the Building Regulations, alongside appropriate glass specifications such as G-values and U-values, helps reduce the risk of overheating while maintaining energy efficiency.

Expansive glazing opening the living space to the garden

Look up to the sky.

Rooflights and skylights are an effective way to introduce natural light into areas of the home that would otherwise rely on artificial lighting. Positioned above stairwells, bathrooms, loft spaces or deeper plan layouts, they draw daylight into the heart of the home, creating brighter, more inviting interiors.

Beyond simply increasing daylight levels, rooflights can be used to choreograph the experience of a space. Carefully positioned openings capture changing light conditions throughout the day, accentuating materials, revealing texture and creating a dynamic relationship between architecture and the natural environment. This considered approach ensures that daylight becomes an integral part of the design, enriching both the character and atmosphere of the home.

 

 

Beyond their practical benefits, rooflights enhance the architectural experience of a space, allowing natural light to shift throughout the day as the sun moves overhead. The changing patterns of light and shadow bring a sense of depth, atmosphere and connection to the outdoors, enriching the experience of everyday living.

Carefully placed rooflights can frame views of the sky, draw sunlight into specific areas of the home and create moments of visual interest as light moves across surfaces throughout the day. Whether illuminating a kitchen island, highlighting a staircase or bringing daylight into a central hallway, a considered rooflight design can transform spaces that might otherwise feel enclosed into bright, uplifting environments.

roof-light above an atrium space

Let the light bounce around.

Thoughtfully selected interior finishes can significantly enhance the impact of natural light throughout a home. While strategically positioned mirrors are an effective way to reflect daylight deeper into a space, light-coloured walls and ceilings can be just as transformative, helping to maximise brightness by reflecting rather than absorbing light.

Finishes such as polished stone, porcelain flooring and other subtly reflective surfaces further distribute daylight throughout the interior, creating spaces that feel lighter, more open and more inviting.

Dress to let the light in.

Window treatments play an important role in balancing privacy with natural daylight. Lightweight fabrics, such as sheer or semi-sheer curtains, gently diffuse sunlight to create bright, welcoming interiors without compromising privacy.

When paired with discreet, concealed blinds, they offer the flexibility to maximise daylight throughout the day while providing effective shading and blackout when required. This layered approach ensures that natural light remains a defining feature of the home, while maintaining comfort at every time of day.

Pale plaster wall and staircase detail

A Brighter Home.

Maximising natural light is about more than creating brighter interiors. It is about designing homes that feel open, uplifting and connected to the changing rhythms of the day.

 

Through thoughtful architectural planning and carefully considered design, natural daylight can transform the way a home looks, feels and functions, creating healthy, welcoming spaces that enrich everyday life for years to come.

Exposed stone wall with an armchair and full length curtain
Panelled doors with brass handles

How we can help .

At OB London, we believe the best homes are shaped by light.

By placing natural daylight at the heart of the design process, we create spaces that are not only beautiful to look at but also more enjoyable to live in, every day.If you have a project that calls for a bespoke, considered lighting strategy, get in touch via our digital form below, and we can arrange an initial consultation at one of our studios.

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About the Studios.

OB is an award-winning group of Architects, delivering aspirational homes in cities, coastlines, mountains, and the countryside. Established by Founder Olly Bray in 2010, OB Architecture is a friendly and open practice of experienced architects, designers and technicians from around the world. The team works between three architectural studios in London, Winchester and Chamonix delivering projects locally and internationally.

‘Our buildings deliver value. We design for people, and we’re passionate about delivering tangible value through considered and innovative design.’

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Beach House

A contemporary Beach House designed around family life, coastal views and the changing character of the seasons.

 

West Sussex Coast

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Shorelines

A contemporary Hampshire coastal home combining sustainable design, panoramic views, natural light and fossil-free energy.

Lymington, Hampshire

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Treetops

Discover a super-prime hillside home combining refined architecture, exceptional detailing and expansive spaces designed for entertaining.

Private residence

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Specialises in

Design and planning for Prime Alpine Chalets, Luxury Urban Developments, and one-off homes

Jack Baggaley

Architectural Assistant

Jack is an Architectural Assistant with a genuine passion for design and experience across the residential sector. Since graduating from Central Saint Martins with a First Class Honours degree, he has worked on the design and planning of prime chalets in the French Alps, one-off country homes in the UK and luxury residential developments in London.

Working across different UK councils and French Mairies, Jack enjoys navigating the spatial, planning and regulatory challenges of each project, with a constant desire to learn and develop as a designer. Having initially joined OB Architecture for work experience, he returned to the practice following his studies and now also leads the practice’s marketing content and creative communications.

Outside the studio, Jack enjoys climbing, exploring national parks and travelling.

Find Jack’s profile on LinkedIn
Jack is based in the Winchester office

Read more about some of the projects that Jack has been involved in:
Inwood Road, The Grove, Chalet Arc, Purley Gardens, Lanzante House, and Chalet Modul

Specialises in

Large-scale commercial retrofit projects and bespoke one-off houses in London and the South Coast.

Dan Dehghani

Architect

Dan is a qualified architect in the London studio, working on a diverse collection of residential and commercial projects across London and the South of England.

With a focus on adaptive reuse and sensitive design to existing buildings, Dan approaches each project with a considered focus on materiality and sensitivity to the surrounding context.

During his studies at the University of Portsmouth for both his Undergraduate and Masters qualifications, Dan achieved the RIBA MArch  Award for Highest Standard of All-Round Excellence and was shortlisted for the AJ Student Prize. Driven by a desire to bridge the gap between practice and study, he continues to champion greater support, guidance and mentorship for students and emerging professionals as they begin their careers in architecture. 

Away from the studio, Dan enjoys trips back home to Southampton to watch his favourite team play football when he can, or delve into the art scene of London with gallery visits and cultural outings.

Find Dan’s profile on LinkedIn
Dan is based in the London office
Read more about the projects that Dan has been involved in: Hermitage, Waddon, Leadborough

Specialises in

High-end Residential architecture, urban developments and Heritage/ Conservation

info@obarchitecture.co.uk

Tom Craven

Architect

With a decade of industry experience, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and a rich portfolio of high-end residential architecture. Throughout his career, Tom has developed a specialisation in conservation, heritage, and adaptive reuse, successfully leading complex conversions of existing buildings. Driven by a passion for solving architectural puzzles, he thrives on taking complex design challenges from raw sketches through to reality.

Tom’s academic foundations were laid at the University of Lincoln, followed by a Master’s degree and Part 3 qualification at the Manchester School of Architecture. Prior to joining OBA, he worked for two years at a Manchester-based studio where he was involved in high-rise residential developments and heritage mill conversions.

An advocate for tangible, old-school design methods, Tom will almost always choose a pencil and a roll of paper over a tablet or laptop. His design philosophy places immense value on texture, materiality, and the human context of space, frequently borrowing concepts from art, history and politics to inform his work. Outside the studio, Tom is a regular bicycle commuter, an avid football player (and lifelong Evertonian), audiophile and a dedicated reader who continuously seeks out new ideas and perspectives.

 

Tom is based in the London office
Read more about some of the projects that Tom has been involved in: Foxley Lane, Brockley Rise, Smitham Bottom Road, Selsdon Park Road

Specialises in

Luxury Alpine Chalets, International building standards, and large-scale civic buildings.

Maureen Soupe

Architect

Maureen is a French registered Architect, who has worked internationally in Spain, Switzerland and France, on a variety of projects in the residential, educational and healthcare sectors.

She believes that architecture requires a deep understanding of context and the needs of the local people. Committed to sustainable development, she aims to focus on the creative reuse of buildings, mindful settings and the use of local materials.

Having moved from Reunion Island, Maureen graduated from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), in Switzerland, where she began her career. Now based in Lyon, when she is not in the office, she enjoys pursuing her artistic hobbies and exploring different parts of the city.

Find Maureens’s profile on LinkedIn
Maureen is based in Lyon

Read more about the projects that Maureen has been involved in: Lavancher Chalet, Chalet Maguire, Chalet Favre

Specialises in

Design of Luxury one-off homes, Alpine chalets, and bespoke interiors

Marisol Maida

Architectural Assistant

Marisol provides support throughout all stages of the project, always with a smile. With her background in Engineering, Marisol approaches every design aspect with meticulous care, exploring a wide range of options to ensure the best solutions for the clients’ needs.

Marisol earned her degree in Building Engineering and Architecture at the ‘Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata’ in Rome, specialising in restoration and energy efficiency. Following a scholarship opportunity to work abroad, she joined OB Architecture to pursue her passion for building design.

Currently based in Rome, Marisol enjoys exploring the picturesque Italian countryside during her free time, indulging in good books, baking delicious cakes, and expressing her creativity through painting.

Find Marisol’s profile on LinkedIn
Marisol is based in Rome

Read more about some of the projects that Marisol has been involved in:
The Pavilion,Treetops, and Strawberry Close

Specialises in

Luxury Urban Developments and Agricultural Architecture

Ana Kovacevic

Practice Manager

Ana brings extensive experience in administration, finance and business management to the practice. Originally from Belgrade, Serbia, she has worked across Europe and spent time in Athens, gaining a broad international perspective and a strong understanding of business operations.

At OB Architecture, Ana oversees the day-to-day management of the practice, supporting the team across financial, administrative and organisational matters. Her structured and detail-focused approach helps ensure the studio operates efficiently, allowing the wider team to focus on delivering high-quality architectural work.

Outside the office, Ana enjoys travelling with her family, regularly visiting Athens to spend time with relatives and explore more of the city.

Find Ana’s profile on LinkedIn
Ana is based in the Winchester office

Specialises in

Technical design and delivery of High-end residential projects

Dan Pyzer-Knapp

Associate

Dan brings a range of experience in technical delivery of residential projects across London and the South of England, from small developments to high-end residential homes in the centre of London.

Dan places great importance on cultivating strong collaborations with clients, aiming to truly understand their priorities and maximise the potential of every distinct site. He excels in navigating challenges, complexities, and tight project timelines, demonstrating his strategic acumen and unwavering optimism.

After studying at the University of Edinburgh, Dan was based north of the border for 6 years before returning home to London in 2015. He is a key part of the growing London office for OB, alongside his role leading our Marketing and Social Media strategies. In his spare time, Dan enjoys pursuing his passion for cricket and football, and is regularly found at the London Stadium supporting West Ham United.

Find Dan’s profile on LinkedIn
Dan is based in the London office
Blog posts by Dan: Contemporary Architecture in a Rural Setting
Read more about some of the projects that Dan has been involved in:
Foxley Lane, Brockley Rise, Smitham Bottom Road, Selsdon Park Road

Specialises in

Technical detailing for Prime One-off Houses and Luxury Developments

Paul Hammond

Senior Technologist

Paul has worked at all stages of projects from Inception to delivery as both an Architect and Technologist within the sphere of Private education and high-end residential projects.

He specialises in the detailing of projects and is adept at realising the transition from the designer’s concept sketches to built form. Growing up Paul earned his pocket money working as a bricklayer’s labourer for his dad and, undaunted by the experience, started his Architectural career in Winchester studying as an architectural technician. To combine the “Plumbing” and “Poetry” of architecture he continued his studies and gained his Architectural qualifications at Plymouth University.

Whilst not at his desk Paul can be found on two wheels pursuing his love of motorbikes, and leading the annual OB office treks across the British countryside.

Paul is based in the Winchester office
Read more about the projects that Paul has been involved in: The Flint House, Waterside, The Mill House, Chamonix Spa Chalet, Lavancher Chalet

Specialises in

Design and Delivery of rural and coastal Private Homes, and the preservation and enhancement of Heritage buildings

Jess Armstrong

Associate

Based in Winchester, Jess is one of our talented Architects leading a number of bespoke residential projects on the coast and in the countryside.

Jess aims to craft homes that are thoughtful and user focused, whilst embracing natural materials and light. She enjoys the creative process of developing concepts and communicating designs to our clients, challenging their assumptions on space and form.

A passionate alumni of Sheffield School of Architecture, Jess joined OBA in 2017 and completed her professional qualification within the office. Jess has many years of experience as OBA’s keenest tea drinker and often rallies the Friday team social. Outside of the office she puts her design skills (and muscles) to use in her DIY house renovation and garden.

Find Jess’s profile on LinkedIn
Jess is based in the Winchester office
Blog posts by Jess: Contemporary Kitchens, Low Energy, and High Comfort Living Starts with Early Design Principles
Read more about some of the projects that Jess has been involved in:
Shorelines, Treetops, Itchen Meadow House

Specialises in

Prime One-off Houses and Luxury Developments

Jamie Willmer

Associate

As an accomplished residential architectural designer, Jamie specialises in creating exceptional homes, from unique bespoke residences in picturesque countryside settings to dynamic urban spaces. Jamie’s projects span internationally, from private homes in the French Alps, England, Serbia, and Sri Lanka, as well as large-scale developments across the South of England.

Jamie brings a diverse skill set to the team, utilising hand-drawn sketches, computer modelling and CGIs to enhance the studios design capacities. His passion for spatial design drives him to craft buildings and spatial sequences that captivate and satisfy our clients using quality design, materials and engagement with the OB team and our clients.

When not busy drawing in the office, you’ll often find Jamie cycling through the picturesque Hampshire countryside, or indulging in his obsession for cooking and spending too much time in the kitchen.

Jamie is based in the Winchester office
Read more about the projects that Jamie has been involved in: Waterside, The Beach House, The Mill House, Chalet X

Specialises in

Contemporary One-off Homes and Luxury Bespoke Commercial Architecture

Olly Bray

Founding Director

Olly Bray is the Founding Director of OB Architecture, which he established in 2010. With over twenty years of experience, Olly steers the overarching design vision for the practice and is renowned throughout the industry for creating bespoke, contemporary homes and residential developments across the UK and internationally.

Combining his creative flair, technical rigour and entrepreneurial drive, Olly leads the team in delivering an award-winning portfolio of unique buildings that enhance the environments in which they sit and the lives of the people who call them home.

With their trademark friendly and approachable manner, Olly and his team work in close collaboration with each client to fully understand their brief, creating transformational, innovative, and environmentally mindful properties.

Olly studied architecture at The University of Bath and Royal College of Art. Olly is based between OB Architecture’s Winchester and London offices and also spends time in Chamonix, France, where he works on the practice’s alpine projects and indulges his love of the mountains, skiing and hiking with his partner and two daughters.

Find Olly’s profile on LinkedIn
Olly is based in the Chamonix office
Blog posts by Olly: New Trends in Contemporary Chalet Design in the French Alps, Modern Architectural Design for Affordable Housing in South London
Read more about the projects that Olly has been involved in:
Treetops, Lanzante Showroom, Lanzante Pavilion, Greyfort House, Strawberry Close, St Peters, Chalet X, Holm Place, Atlantic, Zinc House

Specialises in

Residential development and luxury one-off homes

Grant Freeman

Director (RIBA)

Throughout his nine years with OB Architecture, Grant has been a driving force in the growth of the practice into the residential development sector across London and the South of England.

Grant’s early career in designing and delivering high-end leisure and new build educational facilities ingrained in him an attentiveness to detail, compliance and delivery. At OB Architecture, Grant applies his rigorous knowledge and innate design skills to realise his clients’ aspirations, fulfilling the brief at every stage whilst maintaining the architectural quality and merit of the build.

Designing homes set to last, either through clever renovation or extension to existing properties or designing entirely new build projects, Grant takes pride in the longevity that the results of his work, creativity and expertise produce.

Grant studied architecture at The University of Portsmouth and the University of Brighton. He is based in Winchester and is also a RIBA Mentor, helping guide Part 3 students through their qualifications. Grant has a passion for fitness and in particular cycling, using his base in Winchester to explore the New Forest and South Downs National Park.

Find Grant’s profile on LinkedIn
Grant is based in the Winchester London office
Read more about some of the projects that Grant has been involved in:
Regents House, Greyfort House, St Peters, Uni-life Luxury student housing, Foxley lane, Shorelines, Merryhill Farm

Specialises in

Luxury one-off Private homes and High-end bespoke Commercial projects

Anthony Holland May

Associate

Anthony is a passionate technical designer with a profound commitment to designing and delivering high-end bespoke homes. 

Anthony’s driver is his attention to detail ensuring the conceptual design and clients vision is carried all the way through the project to completion.  He has a passion for sustainable architecture and places great importance on developing strong relationships with contractors and suppliers, facilitating seamless project execution.

Anthony graduated from the University of Derby with a degree in architectural technology, and when he’s not shaping architectural dreams, he enjoys rejuvenating through long weekend walks, immersing himself in the outdoors, and indulging in a friendly game of tennis.

Find Anthony’s profile on LinkedIn

Anthony is based in the Winchester office

Blog posts by Anthony: Temporary Sustainable Structures

Read more about the projects that Anthony has been involved in:
Lanzante Showroom, The Pavilion, Lanzante Pavilion, Sailors House

Specialises in

Prime one-off private homes, Bespoke High-end Commercial projects, and large-scale Masterplanning

Ross Galtress

Senior Associate

Ross is an expert in the design and delivery of outstanding residential developments, private homes, meanwhile spaces, temporary installations and public buildings for art and culture.

On every project, Ross brings care, focus and creative vision to ensure that the results exceed expectations. He takes pride in working closely with clients to properly understand their priorities and make the most of their sites, and he has an aptitude for overcoming challenges, complexities, and tight programmes, with a strategic and positive approach.

Ross studied at the Universities of Plymouth, Greenwich and London Metropolitan. He is based in Winchester but has worked in London for most of his career and maintains strong connections there. Outside of the office, Ross is kept busy by his three boys, his love of the outdoors, the mountains, and mountains of cake.

Find Ross’s profile on LinkedIn

Ross is based in the Winchester office

Blog posts by Ross: Designing from the Inside Out, Guide: Permitted Development

Read more about some of the projects that Ross has been involved in:
Strawberry Close, Haywards Heath, RAOB

Specialises in

Prime one-off homes across the UK, Europe and the Caribbean, and bespoke High-end developments

Toby Wincer

Director (RIBA)

With over 16 years in practice Toby’s experience spans rural master-planning, mixed-use residential developments, high-end domestic homes and hospitality schemes. Toby’s projects at OB Architecture and his past practices have been the recipient of many industry awards and notations of excellence.

Adept in leading ambitious and creatively complex projects, Toby has an unfaltering approach to planning, programming and on-site management, which when combined with a rational yet innovative approach to design, delivers beautifully crafted and considered buildings.

Toby’s proven track record in delivery of both off-site and traditionally procured projects has led to repeat business with a broad spectrum of clients. Toby takes great pride in building these long-lasting professional relationships, based upon mutual trust and respect, earned through experience and sound advice.

Having worked in London for most of his professional career, Toby is also now Chair of the Hampshire RIBA branch. Toby studied architecture at The University of Sheffield and still harbours fond memories of the city, maintaining strong connections with the School of Architecture there. When not in the office or on site, Toby can be found on the water or on his bike competing in any number of adrenaline-fuelled activities.

Find Toby’s profile on LinkedIn

Toby is based in the Winchester London office

Blog posts by Toby: Unlocking Hidden Potential, Coastal Environments Adding Value by Diversifying Farms and Rural Small Holdings

Read more about some of the projects that Toby has been involved in:
The Pavilion, Treetops, Oasis