If you asked most of us to describe the tenets of contemporary architecture, few would fail to mention the 'glass box' with its vast walls of full-height glazing.
But architects have long employed a toolbox of tricks to maximise natural light, from angled glazing, popular in 1960s and 70s apartment blocks, to lantern skylights and internal atriums.
This is particularly welcome at this time of year, as the clocks go back and we face up to months of long dark evenings and gloomy weather.
Perhaps only secondary to space, we want more light – think the twenty-first century penchant for knocking down walls, or the now ubiquitous skylight-studded extension at the back of thousands of Victorian homes.
Here are ten London homes currently for sale that do clever things to draw in natural light.
Holloway, N19
£465,000
This one-bedroom flat in a lesser-known Brutalist block near the Tube and cinema has more than 700 square feet of space. Sloped glazing on the south-easterly wall draws extra light into the living area, which has been renovated by its architect owner.
The Modern House, 020 3795 5920
Notting Hill, W2
£725,000
A one-bedroom flat at top of a Victorian townhouse, lit by butterfly vaulted skylights. Chepstow Road is a quiet residential street within easy reach of the Tube, plus Notting Hill's independent shops and cafes.
Domus Nova, 020 3834 8726
Battersea, SW11
£1.6 million
An architect-modernised end-of-terrace house with four bedrooms close to Battersea Park. The rear wall of slanted Crittall glazing overlooking the lush secluded garden gives the kitchen a sun room feel.
Knight Frank, 020 3866 2938
Hampstead, NW3
£2 million
This former artist’s studio, diagonally oriented for bright, even light, occupies the top floor of a Queen Anne Revival house near the Tube and Overground. Any buyer should start thinking about extending the 85 year lease.
Inigo, 020 3687 3071
Barnes, SW13
£4 million
A grand four-bedroom villa between the river and Common, with a glass atrium filled with ferns at the heart of the ground floor plan. It's vast at more than 2,600 square feet and is being sold without a chain.
Winkworth, 020 3870 5534
Telegraph Hill, SE14
£600,000
At the centre of this two-bedroom split-level flat is an open plan living space lit by three-metre wide skylight. Located within the conservation area, it also features a private 60 foot garden with mature trees and built-in planters.
Conran Estates, 020 8629 8164
King’s Cross, N1C
£2.15 million
A three-bedroom, three-bathroom new build townhouse next to Gasholders, with high-spec interiors and an open air internal terrace. Perks include a private parking space, residents' gym and communal sky garden.
Knight Frank, 020 3910 6089
Homerton, E9
£850,000
An almost 1,300 square foot apartment in a Grade II-listed converted school with an unusual gallery layout lit by a large central atrium. It comes with a parking space and access to a shared roof terrace.
Savills, 020 3910 6142
Camden, NW1
£945,000
A former artist’s studio with plenty of live/work potential in this distinctive modernist building towards Caledonian Road. Angled glazing over the double height living space draws light deep into the plan.
The Modern House, 020 3795 5920
Southfields, SW18
£695,000
This two-bedroom flat within an Edwardian home near Wimbledon Park has been remodelled to maximise natural light. Full width retractable glass doors connect a rear extension with the landscaped garden.
