Skylights: From Myths and Utopias to Velux Technologies

The first opening in a roof was hardly intended as an architectural feature. It was simply a necessity. Smoke needed to escape and light needed to enter. Over time, these simple openings became a distinctive element of the home, reflecting not only everyday needs but also people’s outlook on life. This is how the long and fascinating history of skylights began.

From Myths to Early Utopias

As the concept of openings in roofs evolved, it took on various meanings across different cultures. In antiquity, for instance, an opening in the roof was seen as a gateway to the world of the gods, while in Roman atriums, the compluvium served not only as a practical means to let in light and rainwater but also created a symbolic connection between people and the sky.

In northern lands, wooden houses were often built around a massive central hearth. Smoke openings in the roof served not only to let smoke out. They were perceived as a special space that linked the home with ancestral spirits and natural forces. Such openings were considered more like gateways to another world, through which light and fire connected daily life with the sacred.

Utopias Built on Sunlight

Over time, architectural thought developed, and skylight prototypes gradually lost their mystical associations. They still retained a symbolic role in shaping light within a space.

In the 19th century utopian thinkers like Charles Fourier imagined buildings where light became a condition for social harmony. Fourier’s phalansteries were conceived as large residential complexes with open galleries and courtyards. Sunlight filled the interiors, creating a sense of shared community.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Fourier’s ideas were taken up by modernists, among whom Le Corbusier stood out in particular. He viewed sunlight as a key tool in shaping a new way of life. His concept of the “machine for living” envisioned a home designed to be as functional as possible. Light and air from above created comfort, and each area of the house was assigned a specific function, from rest to work. Skylights became not only a source of illumination but part of a carefully balanced system.

The Birth of Velux and the First Skylights

In 1941, Villum Kann Rasmussen founded V. Kann Rasmussen & Co. in Copenhagen. One of his first projects involved installing roof windows in school buildings where attics were being converted into classrooms.

During wartime shortages, he developed a practical window design that brought both daylight and fresh air into the rooms. This window was patented in 1942 and named VELUX, from the Latin word “LUX” (light) and the abbreviation “VE,” meaning ventilation. Since then, skylight services have been in demand for a wide variety of projects.

An Era of Technology and New Solutions

Over the following decades, VELUX began offering different skylight models with improved insulation and ventilation. The company also advanced the concept of sustainable development by creating structures made from environmentally friendly materials and systems for automatic control of light and ventilation.

Today, VELUX offers glazing units with enhanced insulation that protect against overheating without changing the color of the glass. The Solar Integrator system makes it possible to combine roof windows with solar panels. The introduction of Modular Skylights brought natural light into commercial and public buildings, combining minimalist design with advanced technology.

In recent years, the company has also embraced the digital era, introducing skylights with remote control and full smart-home connectivity. When set up by professional skylight installers, these innovations enhance comfort, sustainability, and prove how design continues to evolve around our need for light and air.