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Amos Goldreich Architecture
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Pro Spotlight: Need More Room? Let In the Light!
A London architect explains how bringing in natural light can make your space appear bigger
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Who: Amos Goldreich of Amos Goldreich Architecture
Where: Archway, London
In his own words: “Creating space is a bit like magic, you can create a real illusion but you need light for it.”
Bigger does not always mean better. According to architect Amos Goldreich of Amos Goldreich Architecture, it’s possible to create a more spacious, comfortable and relaxing home without extending your home’s envelope. The secret? Natural light. “By using architectural tricks such as adding bigger windows or removing elements so the room has more light, it can actually add a sense of space to your property,” he says. Not to mention the psychological benefits of the sun’s rays brightening your home. Read on to find out more.
Where: Archway, London
In his own words: “Creating space is a bit like magic, you can create a real illusion but you need light for it.”
Bigger does not always mean better. According to architect Amos Goldreich of Amos Goldreich Architecture, it’s possible to create a more spacious, comfortable and relaxing home without extending your home’s envelope. The secret? Natural light. “By using architectural tricks such as adding bigger windows or removing elements so the room has more light, it can actually add a sense of space to your property,” he says. Not to mention the psychological benefits of the sun’s rays brightening your home. Read on to find out more.
Architecture of hope. Goldreich’s ideology is centred around helping people realise their dreams and aspirations, improving their wellbeing and making a change. “The way we work is about adding value, even if it’s not financial value. We call it the ‘Architecture of Hope’,” he says. Through this philosophy he believes the ideological ethos and value of architecture can change people’s lives, and this is no more apparent than in his current project – a brand new shelter for victims of domestic violence in Israel called The Ada and Tamar House.
Power of light. Closer to home, Goldreich uses clever architectural tricks to bring in light and create beauty and comfort in residential projects. Unsurprisingly, it’s the psychological benefits for his clients that really excite Goldreich. “Clients have commented on the positive impact this has made to them on an emotional and psychological level,” he says. “As humans we prefer to be in an open environment rather than in confined spaces. Not to mention that vitamin D from the sun’s rays is good for us!”
Read Goldreich’s top tips for using natural light to add a sense of space.
Read Goldreich’s top tips for using natural light to add a sense of space.
1. Bring the Outdoors In
If your internal square footage is at a premium, borrow from your outdoor area by making the most of the view. Goldreich suggests that by installing large bespoke glazing, you’ll allow for wide views out to the garden which will bring the outside in and make the internal space feel bigger. “It’ll also add more light and accentuate height,” he says.
This first-floor flat in Finchley had a conservatory – built many years ago on columns – with a narrow entry wall that was falling apart. The team removed the entire wall to make it part of the house, and used timber bespoke glazing throughout to pull the light in.
See more of this project
If your internal square footage is at a premium, borrow from your outdoor area by making the most of the view. Goldreich suggests that by installing large bespoke glazing, you’ll allow for wide views out to the garden which will bring the outside in and make the internal space feel bigger. “It’ll also add more light and accentuate height,” he says.
This first-floor flat in Finchley had a conservatory – built many years ago on columns – with a narrow entry wall that was falling apart. The team removed the entire wall to make it part of the house, and used timber bespoke glazing throughout to pull the light in.
See more of this project
2. Consider a Wall of Mirrors
Mirrors can add a whole new dimension to any living area, reflecting and deceiving in equal measures. For one thing they are great for bouncing light around the room, while they also provide the illusion of more space.
Goldreich installs panels of mirrors in many of the projects he works on. In this Primrose Hill bedroom, he installed mirrors on the wardrobes’ sliding door and continued them across the whole wall. This reflects the light and view from the back garden, while also making the room appear bigger. “It’s a more usable surface as a mirror – it’s functional and it’s also a feature,” he says.
See more of this project
Mirrors can add a whole new dimension to any living area, reflecting and deceiving in equal measures. For one thing they are great for bouncing light around the room, while they also provide the illusion of more space.
Goldreich installs panels of mirrors in many of the projects he works on. In this Primrose Hill bedroom, he installed mirrors on the wardrobes’ sliding door and continued them across the whole wall. This reflects the light and view from the back garden, while also making the room appear bigger. “It’s a more usable surface as a mirror – it’s functional and it’s also a feature,” he says.
See more of this project
3. Exploit Your Layout
It’s often tempting to keep as many rooms and square feet as possible, but Goldreich believes that sometimes removing a wall or even a whole room can pull the light in and make a huge difference to your home. It’s about exploiting the volume not the square footage. “Double-height ceilings [for example] can create a feeling of openness, and make a house feel bigger,” he says.
This property in Highbury is a prime example, “we actually reduced floor space,” says Goldreich. The team removed a third bedroom at the first half-landing which resulted in a study/bedroom half the depth and a spacious double-height living room. “This created a visual connection between the dining room, kitchen, front living room and study,” he says. Another trick of the light was used by installing internal shutters (top right – closed) which can close off the office to make the space feel bigger and also bring more light in when opened.
See more of this project
More: For more information and examples of Goldreich’s work, visit Amos Goldreich Architecture‘s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
It’s often tempting to keep as many rooms and square feet as possible, but Goldreich believes that sometimes removing a wall or even a whole room can pull the light in and make a huge difference to your home. It’s about exploiting the volume not the square footage. “Double-height ceilings [for example] can create a feeling of openness, and make a house feel bigger,” he says.
This property in Highbury is a prime example, “we actually reduced floor space,” says Goldreich. The team removed a third bedroom at the first half-landing which resulted in a study/bedroom half the depth and a spacious double-height living room. “This created a visual connection between the dining room, kitchen, front living room and study,” he says. Another trick of the light was used by installing internal shutters (top right – closed) which can close off the office to make the space feel bigger and also bring more light in when opened.
See more of this project
More: For more information and examples of Goldreich’s work, visit Amos Goldreich Architecture‘s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Founded in 2010, Amos Goldreich Architecture is an award-winning architecture practice led by Amos Goldreich.
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Review by HU-567008253:
Working with Amos was an instinctive and collaborative process. We had already lived in the house for 25 years before we decided to rebuild the rear of our Victorian terraced house in North London. So...More
I wanted to follow these principles when planning an extension to my kitchen. However building control comments were that I had too much glass and not enough brick. To secure approval I had to exclude a velux roof light and reduce a double french door to a single. the concern was around thermal heat loss. it seems it's not always as straight forward as it appears on TV or magazines to create a light indoor/outdoor feel.