Extension vaulted ceiling or any other light ideas

[Authenticcelestialmusic]

We are looking to extend our house this will provide an office space downstairs and make two (children’s) bedrooms considerably larger. The problem is that the upstairs hallway currently has a window and there is a chance planning may not approve a window in the hallway if extended. I really don’t want a windowless upstairs hallway. The current window let’s in a lot of light.

It was suggested by an architect that we have light tunnels but I don’t like them and I don’t think they will let in enough light. I don’t want to extend and regret it.

I have thought that maybe a higher vaulted ceiling with some type of window/ and or roof windows very high up would be a better option. The hallway area will be quite large and we will use it as a reading/study area with books and chairs whilst the children are at home.

Has anyone had a vaulted ceiling in an upstairs hallway? Is there anything I should consider? Or does anyone have any more ideas to create light?

Nothing useful to add but watching as in a similar position. We've put a half glazed (but obscured) door on the bathroom to help but also looking at sun tunnels. We're def going ahead and losing the windows on the landing but if there are any other good ideas I'd love to hear them.

Sun tunnels always look a bit like spaceships and a bit grubby to me. Don't think we could do the vaulted ceiling option as the new roof structure wouldn't work like that for us. I've seen it in bungalow conversions though and it worked well, there was no loft above though, that's a high space.

We're also losing a landing window that lets in lots of light as a result of an extension.

I am with you on sun tunnels... although they do bring in limited light I dont think it feels natural and certainly doesn't replace a window.

Our whole upstairs is partially buiilt into the eaves and the two rooms that have velux have the best light in the house. We will definitely be adding two new velux to replace the two windows being blocked up after we recover from how much the extension will add.

Only other option i could suggest is would planning approve one of those high up thin windows that aren't designed to see out of (so still allow your neighbours privacy which I assume is the issue) but still let light in? I think they are called clerestory windows.

Thanks for your suggestions. I considered a high window and I’ve noticed someone locally has installed a stained glass window.

The more I think about lack of light the more off put I am but we could do with the space.

I have no idea if a vault will work it would certainly be high but I thought maybe a really cool dangling light and an exposed beam or two. It could maybe have a huge window that is above eye height.

The architect suggested the light tunnels but they make me think of hospital basements (not sure why). I really can’t see it giving us anywhere near the amount of light we currently have.