Building Layout & Design: Passive Solar Design:
Orientation and Glazing.
Solar orientation should balance the amounts of glass, mass, insulation
and insolation (solar access) to provide a low energy environment.
Full shading of the north facing windows would be desirable in Brisbane
from October 15 - April 15. A fixed device at 62 degrees will provide
full shading from September 22 - March 23.
This angle is ideal as the sun is 62.6 degrees, or higher, above the
horizon. On December 22 (summer solstice) the sun is at its highest
in the sky at 86 degrees above the horizon. On June 22 (winter solstice)
the sun is at its lowerest, 39 degrees.
The Newton house will have awnings to the north 1200mm wide over the
full-length glass doors of the bedroom, and 600mm over windows which
are 900mm above the floor level. This will create seasonal shadows,
preventing the sun from entering the house when the sun is 62 degrees
of more above the horizon.
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Rules of Orientation
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Orientation for the Newton House
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1. Most windows facing north.
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1.Most windows
are facing north
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2. South wall
must be well insulated. Windows must be small and double-glazed.
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2. South windows
have been included in the plan for cross ventilation and views.
They are recycled single pane windows. They will have heavy roman
blind window shadings with pelmet to slow any transfer of cool
air during winter.
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3. East and west
ideally should have no windows, as shading from the low level
sun is very difficult.
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3. There are no east or west facing windows. The shadow line of the
straw bale wall protects windows facing south from the low west
summer sun.
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4. Awnings shall be calculated to allow winter
sun access to thermal mass, but prevent any summer sun access.
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4. Awnings to
the north are 1.25m wide to give winter sun access to the thermal
mass.
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5. The house and internal walls shall run north
south.
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5. Internal walls
run north south.
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6. Avoid trees
or structures that will prevent access to the north sun in winter.
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6. The winter
sun is not obstructed by excessive vegetation.
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A floor feature in the bedroom of the Newton House will be made from
a stone, whilst the rest of the flooring is recycled timber flooring.
This stone feature will follow the exact line at which the sun penetrates
the room at the winter solstice. Due to awning width, no sun will reach
these stones from 22 September till 23 March allowing the stones to
remain cool in summer. The stones used will have a dark and dull surface
to aid in absorbency and emissivity.
Links
http://susdesign.com/sunangle/
