alternative to drywall walls

I have a unique situation. I am trying to figure out something that I can put in place of drywall walls in order to close in my staircase. I have bought a home with an inlaw suite for my parents and we all use the same entry door. They then go into the apartment downstairs by another door and we walk up the stairs. I want to build a door at the top of the stairs and therefore close in a half wall that is on the one side (finishing off my living room). There is a large window that I would love to be able to still benefit from its light and I want something that would maybe keep out a little more noise than having nothing there. I could install a drywall wall although it would be hard to reach as its cathedral-like and I still want the light. I cannot find anything that I can install between the ceiling and the half wall except maybe a shoji screen which wouldnt save any noise. And as I'm sure everyone else is..I am working on a budget!
Please help!!

 

"And as I'm sure everyone else is..I am working on a budget!".....Congress isn't.
Welcome to the forums! If you would have a difficulty installing drywall due to the height, you will have the same height problem no matter what you put up there. I am having a little difficulty visualizing where the window is you mentioned and where it plays a part in the staircase. For open half walls of staircases, you usually stud them up and cover them with sheetrock, beadboard, etc.

 

I'm not sure I understand either
Would installing a piece of glass [window] in the top portion of the wall give you the light you desire?

 

use a sight such as imageshack or some other hosting site. upload a picture to them and cut and past the link for "thumbnails for forums". Pictures are thousand words and all that...