Clerestory
A clerestory is a type of window that is usually found at or near the roof line. It often takes the form of a band of windows across the tops of buildings that allow natural light in without compromising privacy or security.
In Roman architecture, clerestories were often used to light large halls where the interior walls were far apart from the structure’s exterior walls. Semi-circular windows were often built above the side roofs using groined vaults.
While clerestories were common features during the Roman and Gothic periods of architecture, they are still found today in large buildings such as halls, train stations, gymnasiums, and so on. In domestic buildings, they may take the form of a narrow band of windows along the top of a wall.
NB Short Guide, Scottish traditional shopfronts, published, on 18 April 2017 by Historic Environment Scotland, defines a clerestory as the: ‘Upper part of a shop window which may be decorated with stained or painted glass or opaque glass. May also be used for display of names or products.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.