Maurits Honée, Country Manager for Lumon makes the case for reimagined, usable balconies as one way to make living at height more attractive, and to add value.

It never ceases to amaze me: around the globe, and certainly in London, we build residential towers with phenomenal views, yet treat the balcony, the most direct connection to that experience, as little more than a box-ticking exercise. A slim strip of concrete, only 80 centimetres deep, just wide enough for a plastic chair. Exposed, uncomfortable, and ultimately unusable. And still, we proudly call it “private outdoor space.”

Why don’t we give this outdoor space the attention it deserves? Especially at height, the balcony may well be the most valuable part of an apartment. A place where you rise above the floor, looking out over the city, the river, or the park. But only if it actually invites people to use it.

Internationally, I’m encouraged to see developers reimagining the balcony. One project that particularly inspired me is by Bosa Properties in Vancouver, designed by Gensler Architects. The tower features spacious, fully enclosable balconies with retractable glass panels. When closed, they offer comfort and protection from wind and rain; when open, they provide a fully immersive outdoor experience, even at great heights. Bosa promotes these balconies as a unique selling point: the only place in Vancouver where you can enjoy outdoor dining at 156 meters above ground. And honestly, who wouldn’t want that?

This groundbreaking concept was made possible by Lumon’s balcony glazing system, our largest project to date. It shows how thoughtful design, paired with high-quality, flexible glazing, can transform a simple balcony into a valuable living space in any climate. A space that truly offers More Room for Life.

Closer to home, I’m seeing signs of change as well. In Antwerp, developers are increasingly opting for glass-enclosed outdoor spaces with a high level of finish. Facade images clearly show residents are furnishing their balconies with full-fledged furniture, upholstered, cozy, and comfortable. This is no longer a balcony. It’s an extension of the living room.

These kinds of solutions are already technically feasible. The barrier isn’t engineering, it’s mindset. In high-rise design, we shouldn’t view outdoor space as a luxury add-on, but as an integral part of the architecture, a place where people genuinely want to spend time. Especially in urban environments, where private outdoor space is becoming ever scarcer.

The balcony deserves a prominent place in the architectural concept once again. Not tucked away as a thin strip along the facade, but as a space of quality, experience, and identity. Because let’s be honest: no one moves to the 40th floor for the hallway or the stairwell. It’s the view, the connection to the outside, that matters.

By revaluing the balcony, we make residential towers more attractive, more liveable, and more distinctive. And that’s not only good for residents, but it’s also just good architecture. It’s how we create More Room for Life.