As higher-density living becomes more common across New Zealand, architects and designers face the challenge of creating compact homes that still feel bright, comfortable and private.

In townhouses, terraced homes and upper-level apartments, not every space has direct access to an external wall. Bathrooms, ensuites, hallways, stairwells and walk-in wardrobes can sit deeper within the floorplan, while additional windows may not always be practical or desirable due to overlooking, proximity to neighbouring properties or privacy considerations.

Tubular daylighting offers an alternative way to bring natural light into these spaces.

Where suitable roof access is available, Solatube 160DS and 290DS Daylighting Systems capture daylight at roof level and transfer it through highly reflective Spectralight Infinity tubing to the space below. With 99.7% reflectivity, the tubing is designed to efficiently transfer daylight, while Raybender 3000 Technology within the dome helps capture and manage sunlight for year-round performance.

For architects and designers, this can provide greater flexibility when planning compact residential layouts. Internal spaces can benefit from natural daylight without relying on an additional façade window, helping maintain privacy while reducing dependence on artificial lighting during daylight hours.

Available in 250mm and 350mm diameters respectively, the 160DS can suit smaller spaces such as bathrooms, ensuites and hallways, while the 290DS provides a daylighting solution for larger residential areas. The DS Range is also BRANZ Appraised (BRANZ 665), providing specifiers with documented performance information for New Zealand projects.

By considering daylighting early in the design process, architects can make better use of the available floorplan while creating high-density homes that support the comfort, privacy and liveability expected in modern residential design.

Key features

• Installed by certified licensees
• Patented daylight-capturing dome with Raybender 3000 Technology and LightTracker Reflector
• Spectralight Infinity Tubing made of the world's most reflective material that delivers 99.7% specular reflectivity
• Wide range of add-ons for ventilation, dimming and electric lighting options
• Wide range of decorative diffusers