Category: Design
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
A light well is a vertical shaft open to the sky inside the building, serving bathrooms, kitchens, corridors and rooms that do not reach the facade. Its minimum size is set by municipal requirements according to building height.
Why it matters on a project
It solves inner rooms on narrow plots, but its drainage, floor waterproofing and cleaning access need detailing from the start.
Common mistake
Shrinking the light well to gain floor area, leaving a dark shaft that does not ventilate and fails the permit.
Frequently asked questions
Are light wells allowed in villas?
Yes, at no less than the municipal minimum size, as part of the massing.
How does rain drain from a light well?
Through a floor falling to a gully connected to the drainage, with waterproofing under the finish.
Related terms
- DaylightingBringing daylight inside with minimum heat and glare.
- Floor planA drawing of a floor as if cut horizontally at about one metre.
- Building permit (Balady)The official approval to build, issued online through the Balady platform.
- WaterproofingLayers preventing water ingress into structural elements or spaces, such as bituminous membranes and cementitious coatings.
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