• A client recently asked us about house orientation and what it all means with regard to solar passive design. We thought we would share this information in the interest of educating those considering a new build renovation or addition in Perth.
   
    • What should home buyers consider in terms of orientation when choosing a block?  The orientation of your block and home is an important factor in solar passive design (particularly given seasonal changes) and prevailing weather patterns. Solar passive building design aims to maximise the amount of sun (and thermal energy) collected by a building in winter and reduce the solar/heat gain in summer. Not only does this increase the amount of natural light and heat in a home during the dark winter months but it also reduces the thermal gain in summer and therefore reduces reliance on artificial heating and cooling methods.
 
    • What does ‘north facing’ mean and what are the benefits? In the southern hemisphere the ideal orientation for your home is one that runs along an east-west axis, with the largest wall areas facing north (north facing). This minimises the wall and window areas exposed to the harshest of the summer sun and seasonal weather patterns. The amount of sun your home will receive changes throughout the year, with the sun travelling on a lower arc (from east to west) in the winter months and reaching its highest arc in summer. North facing windows will optimise the winter sun, warming and brightening your home in winter more effectively than east or west facing windows, and are easily shaded from the high summer sun to minimise thermal gain and keep the house cool.
 
    • How do I keep my house, particularly north-facing rooms, cool during summer? I read somewhere that planting trees can help?Since the sun is travelling on a high arc across the horizon in summer, north facing rooms will receive sun at a steep angle and require only modest eave depths for effective shading. It is important to not be overzealous with permanent shading on the north elevation so as not to restrict solar access in the winter months when it is more welcome. Planting deciduous trees, which will have maximum foliage in the summer months, is an excellent option as the solar protection they provide will not be an issue come winter.
 
    • Do you consider the potential orientation of a home when designing?Solar passive design is a key factor in any home design and so the orientation of a home is important to ensure that natural lighting, heating and cooling efficiencies are optimised. Some of our clients come to us trying to explain a feeling they want in certain rooms or describing a desire for lots of natural light and space – these are tangible effects of good solar passive design.
 
    • In an ideal design scenario, which areas of a home would face north?Since the majority of your time at home is spent in living areas, both indoors and outdoors, ideally those areas would face north. This allows your living areas to be naturally illuminated and warmed in winter while preventing solar and heat gain in summer.
 
    • Any other design tips for the orientation of a home?Locate sleeping areas to the south, with modest windows, so they remain cool during summer and retain warmth in winter. Locate utilities (bathrooms, laundry, garage, storage areas etc.) to the west and south where small windows are preferred. Position the largest glazing areas on the north elevation to capture low angle winter sun, shade with modest eaves to protect from summer sun. Reduce the number and/or size of east and west facing windows as these are vulnerable to harsh summer sun which is difficult to shade against. Some windows on the east and west elevations are beneficial as they facilitate cross ventilation, giving natural breezes a path through your home and a cost-free way of cooling it down.