Architectural designers are revitalizing the classical concept of the oculus to enhance natural lighting in contemporary homes. Traditionally a large circular opening at the apex of a dome—for example, the roughly 9-meter-wide oculus in Rome’s ancient Pantheon—modern oculi have been reinterpreted as glazed, sculptural skylights that introduce natural light into interior spaces such as stairwells, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Washington DC architect Nicholas Potts applied this concept in the renovation of a narrow row house, installing a round, domed glass window above a curved four-story staircase. This modern oculus filters daylight down through the home’s interior, creating a dynamic interplay of light within the space throughout the day.

Historically, oculi have featured prominently in notable architecture. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia incorporates multiple skylights, including a domed room with an oculus inspired by the Pantheon. Architect Le Corbusier also used them in projects like the Ronchamp chapel and La Tourette, employing skylights to direct daylight and produce dramatic effects shaped by the sun’s position. Contemporary artists such as James Turrell have further explored similar designs, creating sculptural openings that frame the sky itself as an object of contemplation rather than merely a light source.

Designers today often treat oculi as built-in sculptural elements of the ceiling rather than conventional roof cutouts. The surrounding plasterwork is frequently curved to diffuse sunlight, enhancing the perception of three-dimensional form within the interior. Stairwells remain a favored location for oculi, echoing historic New York brownstones where shaped skylights illuminate stair halls, harmonizing with architectural geometry and movement.

This approach extends to other residential areas where occupants spend extended time. Alexandra Donohoe Church, founder of Sydney’s Decus, placed a sculptural oculus above a stairwell and a cushioned bench in a usually windowless dressing room, while Berlin-based architect Gisbert Pöppler designed an entirely oval-shaped ceiling topped with a 90-centimeter circular skylight in a garden-facing room in western Germany. Both the ceiling and the glass are smoothly curved to facilitate drainage and emphasize the skylight’s sculptural quality, drawing the eye upward toward the sky rather than the roof structure.

Simplicity in design can also produce striking effects, as demonstrated in a recent Edinburgh townhouse extension where a circular opening fitted with a 1.5-meter Roof Maker O-Lite window channels natural light deep into the space. Similarly, a primary suite in a 19th-century brownstone features a sculptural oculus above a black clovie tree planted in a recessed slate floor.

While oculi provide aesthetic and functional benefits, they can pose challenges such as unwanted solar heat gain and glare. Designers mitigate these issues by carefully orienting openings away from direct sunlight, incorporating shades, or using operable skylights to promote ventilation. Maintenance concerns are particularly relevant when oculi sit several stories above stairwells, necessitating thoughtful design to ensure accessibility for cleaning and repairs.

For residents, these modern oculi offer more than illumination; they establish a quiet connection to the sky and natural environment while preserving privacy. As Donohoe Church observes, the term “oculus”—derived from Latin for “eye”—aptly describes these features as portals through which occupants can both look out and feel sheltered within their homes.