Living with light

Sweden’s new building regulations, set to take effect on 1 July 2025, mark a shift in how daylight is considered in housing design. Among the changes is the removal of the requirement for direct sunlight in residential buildings, with a greater focus instead on outdoor exposure. In dense city environments, this has prompted reflection on what quality of light and comfort might mean in the homes of tomorrow.

Kajsa’s apartment offers a quiet and personal response. Through deliberate planning and subtle interventions, daylight is gently drawn into the space—so effectively that electric lighting is rarely needed during the day.

The apartment is featured in the latest issue of Residence, the Swedish design magazine, which highlights how considered design can elevate both the function and atmosphere of a home. The images shown here are part of the magazine’s photo series, beautifully photographed by Jonathan Hökklo.

Perched atop a brick-and-timber heritage building, the apartment has taken shape over time. Kajsa first bought the top-floor flat nearly 25 years ago, and later acquired the dark, uninsulated attic above. By opening the roof at different angles, she created a space where light continues to shift with the seasons, the weather, and the time of day.

Darkness, too, plays a role—arriving softly through skylights. Warm, dimmable lighting supports the mood when needed, but after almost 20 years, the original bulbs remain in place, barely used.