Why do interior designers use skylights and high windows?

Interior designers and architects utilize skylights and high windows, such as clerestories, primarily to manage light, space, and atmosphere. These elements serve several key purposes:

• Illumination and Function: High windows and skylights are essential for lighting interior spaces that are far from exterior walls or otherwise enclosed. They provide steady, even daylight, which helps prevent eyestrain and physical discomfort.123
• Aesthetic Variety: Designers use these openings to create dynamic patterns of light and shadow, avoiding the monotony of uniform illumination. By placing light sources high overhead, they can transform the mood of a space, much like theatrical lighting.43
• Spatial Perception: High windows can make spaces feel more expansive and provide a sense of volume. In some architectural designs, light entering from high sources can create illusions, such as making a structure appear to float or obscuring supports to enhance the aesthetic impact of the room.45
• Connection to Nature: Because light changes throughout the day, these openings allow the interior to reflect the living quality of nature, enlivening the architecture as the sun moves.5