Daylighting: Natural Light in Architecture

De Syllas House

Architect and client Justin De Syllas, Avanti Architects

Lighting design Justin de Syllas

First House, Dartmouth Park Road in London,
was built by the architect Justin De Syllas for
his own use, and shows a careful use of
daylighting in informing the space.
The house is placed across the front of the
site, which measures 15 by 15 m and has been
designed to provide a strong street presence,
and to create a wide south facing fac° ade to a
garden at the rear.
The architect’s stated ambition to provide a
large open-plan living area, full of space and
light, was the main motivation for the design
for the house, leading to the first floor living
room, with its open plan covering the entire
area save the void for the double height to the
dining room below.
The living area is associated with a wide
terrace along the entire length of the building,

connected to the living area by means of full

height windows to the south with low level

sills. To the north a large window located

above the front door ensures that natural light

enters the space from different directions,

ensuring sunlight penetration at all times of

the day.

The dining/kitchen is a double height space,

with an open tread stair leading up to the first

floor; it has a large bay window which

connects to a dining patio. The combination of

the bay window at low level and a large

rooflight above gives the double height space

its naturally lit quality at both levels.

The bedrooms, bathroom and study are

located below the living room. These rooms

are slightly raised over a basement, so that

the main bedroom and study have french

windows overlooking the garden; and the

spare bedroom and bathroom have small

windows overlooking the street, just above

eye level to give privacy.

The house is provided with a number of

energy saving measures not least of which are

its daylighting credentials. The area of glazing

to the south is considerable, providing solar

heating in the winter, with limited window

area to the north to conserve heat. At no

time would artificial light be required during

the day. The windows to the south are

controlled by external awnings against solar

gain and all may be opened to achieve summer

ventilation.

108 Daylighting: Natural Light in Architecture

Ground floor plan

Justin De Syllas