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Orientation in Architecture

The document discusses the principles of passive design as they relate to building orientation. It explains that orientation refers to how a building is positioned in relation to the sun's path and prevailing winds. Good orientation can significantly improve comfort and reduce heating and cooling needs. The optimal orientation depends on the climate zone and aims to either maximize winter sun exposure while minimizing summer sun, or eliminate solar exposure altogether in hot climates. Factors like site characteristics, sun angles, shading, and access to breezes must all be considered to determine the best passive design orientation strategy for a given location.

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04 Aneriii
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243 views

Orientation in Architecture

The document discusses the principles of passive design as they relate to building orientation. It explains that orientation refers to how a building is positioned in relation to the sun's path and prevailing winds. Good orientation can significantly improve comfort and reduce heating and cooling needs. The optimal orientation depends on the climate zone and aims to either maximize winter sun exposure while minimizing summer sun, or eliminate solar exposure altogether in hot climates. Factors like site characteristics, sun angles, shading, and access to breezes must all be considered to determine the best passive design orientation strategy for a given location.

Uploaded by

04 Aneriii
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PASSIVE DESIGN PRINCIPLE

ORIENTATION
OF BUILDING

ANERIII 04
MALDEEP 44
ORIENTATION OF HOUSE
What is orientation?
Orientation is how a building
is positioned in relation to the
sun’s paths in different
seasons, as well as to
prevailing wind patterns. In
passive design, it is also about
how living and sleeping areas
are designed and positioned,
either to take advantage of
the sun and wind, or be
protected from their effects.
Orientation is the position of your Orientation for warming in winter and
home in relation to the path of the cooling in summer aims to maximise
sun and the prevailing wind in your northern exposure of walls and
region. windows, but block solar access with
appropriate eaves and other shading
in summer.
To achieve good orientation, the
most important factors to consider
are:
Good orientation can significantly
the climate of your region improve your comfort and reduce
true north and sun angles for your heating and cooling needs.
your site or building The best orientation for your home
optimum building design for is the one that suits your climate
your climate zone zone.
the effects of climate change.

Orientation for passive heating


aims to maximise northern Orientation for passive cooling aims
exposure of walls and windows, to eliminate solar access with
while reducing east and west appropriate shading (especially to the
exposure to avoid overheating in east and west), and maximise access
summer. to cooling breezes.
THE CLIMATE
climate will dictate your heating and cooling needs, and thus the best orientation for your home. Some climates need mainly
passive heating, some need passive cooling, and most need a combination of both.
ORIENTATION FOR YOUR CLIMATE
North-facing walls and windows receive more solar radiation in winter than in
summer because the sun is lower in the sky. East- and west-facing walls and
windows receive more sun in summer in the early morning and late afternoon
when the sun is lower in the sky.

Your building design and how you treat north-facing walls will determine how
much solar access your home receives.

How much solar access you want will depend on your climate zone.
Climate zones are averages, and each site will have unique characteristics

In Climate zone 1 (Hot humid summer, warm winter),


Climate zone 2 (Warm humid summer, mild winter) and
Climate zone 3 (Hot dry summer, warm winter)
to use design and shading to minimise direct sun on all façades, while
capturing and funnelling cooling breezes. In these climate zones, in
locations at higher altitude on the Great Dividing Range or in the inland
arid zones, solar access to north façades is recommended.

In Climate zone 4 (Hot dry summer, cool winter),


Climate zone 5 (Warm temperate) and
Climate zone 6 (Mild temperate)
the aim is to balance winter sun and summer shade. North orientation of
living spaces is desirable, because the position of the sun in the sky allows
full sun access in winter. In these climates you can easily shade northern
façades in summer with simple horizontal devices such as eaves.

In Climate zone 7 (Cool temperate) and


Climate zone 8 (Alpine)
the aim is to maximise solar access. North orientation of living spaces,
combined with appropriate glazing and thermal mass, will enable you to
take best advantage of solar access to heat your home
ORIENTATION FOR PASSIVE HEATING
Orientation for passive heating is about using the sun to heat your home in winter and keeping unwanted summer sun out. Orientation
for passive heating is most suitable for parts of Climate zone 3 and Climate zones 4–8.

In most climates, passive heating can be achieved relatively easily by locating living areas and
windows on north-facing walls to let in low-angle winter sun and using horizontal shading
devices to exclude high-angle summer sun.

Sun movement from high angle in


summer to low angle in winter

The sun can be a source of


free home heating
The best orientation for living areas is solar north; however, orientations of up to
15° west of north and 25° east of north still allow good passive sun access

Variations in orientation towards east and west can even


have advantages in some climates and for some activities.

For example, in cold climates, orientating your home


slightly west of north increases solar gains in the afternoon
when they are most desirable for evening comfort,
but east of north can warm the living areas of the home
more in the mornings, improving daytime comfort for
those people who are at home
In warmer climates, orientating your home to capture local
breezes will improve comfort. Breezes will vary from site to
site depending on local topography and climate zone

Poor orientation and lack of appropriate shading can


exclude winter sun and cause overheating in summer by
allowing low-angle east or west sun to strike glass surfaces
at more direct angles, increasing solar gains.
THE SITE
For good passive heating, choose a site that can accommodate north-facing living areas.
Good orientation can be achieved on blocks of all different directions.

achieving good solar access on smaller sites is more likely on north–


south blocks because they receive good access to northern sun with
minimum potential for overshadowing by neighbouring houses.

In summer, neighbouring houses can provide protection from low


east and west sun

Narrow blocks with tall neighbouring houses may limit the


options for solar access. On narrow blocks, careful design is
required to ensure there is enough north-facing glass for
adequate passive solar heating.

Orientation possibilities on different blocks


The lower angle of winter sun can limit solar access

North–south sites on the north side of the street allow north-facing living
areas and gardens to be located at the rear of the house for privacy.
A north-facing slope increases the potential for access to northern sun and is ideal for higher housing densities. A
south-facing slope increases the potential for overshadowing
Design for solar access should not compromise that of your neighbours.

Houses on south-facing slopes can be subject to overshadowing from other houses


High-level openable windows capture winter sun and create cooling currents in summer
Ensure the northern side of the house is free from major obstructions to the sun
ORIENTATION OF PLAN FOR GOOD VENTILATION

Original floor plan – living spaces located on the New floor plan – living spaces oriented to the north
south and in the middle of the home where possible and internal walls removed
ORIENTATION FOR PASSIVE COOLING
Orientation for passive cooling keeps out unwanted sun and hot winds while ensuring access to cooling breezes
In hot humid climates that do not have cool winters, orientation should generally exclude direct sunlight and
radiant heat (from nearby structures) at all times of the year while maximising access to cooling breezes

Orientation for an elevated tropical house


THE SITE
In tropical areas, northerly solar access is not desirable. Land with a south-facing slope provides
increased shade. South is ideal for views because south-facing windows require minimal shading

In all warm climates, look for a site with good access to cooling breezes. Ensure that landscape
and adjacent buildings funnel rather than block beneficial breezes and provide shade to all walls

Cool breezes can come from a range of directions depending on your region. For example:

near the coast, breezes are generally onshore


in many inland areas, there are no regular breezes during the day; however, at night, cool air
currents can form as cooling night air flows down slopes and valleys
in flat inland regions, brief thermal currents created by day–night (diurnal) temperature
differences occur later at night or in early morning.

Breezes can be diverted, so find a way to direct them through home using fences, outbuildings,
plantings and windows
Using plantings to divert cool breezes into building
Cool or cold climates: living areas should be orientated as near to solar north
as possible, and no more than 10° west of north
Warm temperate climates: as above, except living areas can be orientated up to 20° east of solar north
Temperate climates: daytime heating and cool sleeping are required
Hot humid climates: the home should be protected from the sun and exposed to breezes
WHAT IS MICRO CLIMATE
A microclimate is a local set of atmospheric conditions
that differ from those in the surrounding areas, often
with a slight difference but sometimes with a substantial
one. The term may refer to areas as small as a few square
meters or square feet or as large as many square
kilometers or square miles

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