ELEMENT:
Building Orientation
AIM:
A combination of passive solar control and ventilation inside the house
reduces the running costs of the building. Orientation of the living spaces
to the North increases the opportunity for using natural day lighting,
decreasing the need for electrical lighting during the day. The cooling
effect of the breezes allowed into the house reduces the need for fans
and air conditioners.
STRATEGY:
Optimise Passive Design
The house is orientated to North rather than traditionally to the street.
This means that the house sits diagonally on the site rather than to the
street edge. Positioning the house in this way increases the opportunity
to use natural day lighting inside. The demand for electric lighting is
reduced during the day when natural day lighting is used to illuminate
the inside.
Glare and heat entering through the windows can be reduced while still
allowing light to enter. By using appropriate overhangs and shading devices
the amount of direct sunlight that brings heat and glare into the building
is reduced. The Northern sun angles can be controlled effectively by horizontal
shading devices such as roof overhangs. The western and eastern sun angles
that carry significant amounts of heat are harder to control by horizontal
shading devices. By opening the building to the north and providing buffers
to the east and west, the heat gain to the interior can be reduced.
The northern sun can be allowed to enter the house to warm the building
and the occupants in winter or alternatively the overhang or shading device
can shade the window in summer reducing the heat gain.
Passive ventilation can be enhanced by good building orientation. The
building does not have to directly face the prevailing breeze for effective
cross ventilation inside the house. The breeze can be channelled into
the house by appropriately placed vegetation or fences. In hot humid climates,
cross ventilation is easily achieved by having rooms that have openings
on opposite walls.
The Healthy Home achieves effective cross ventilation with openings on
opposing walls by having internal louvres which allows air to flow from
the outside across the room into the breezeway.
REFERENCE:
Hyde, R, Climate Responsive Design. A Study of Buildings in Moderate
and Hot Humid Climates. E and FN Spon, London 2000.
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