FUTURE FACING

A home’s orientation can play a huge role in how comfortable and energy-efficient it is, writes Sarah Pickette.

Many Australians understand the problems associated with living in a poorly oriented (and usually under-insulated) home. “The lessons have been learnt,” says Craig Etchells, co-owner of Etchells Building Design on the NSW Central Coast. “Today, homeowners have a much better grasp of the role orientation plays in keeping our homes liveable.”

Orientation truly is, if you’ll pardon the pun, a vital building block for anyone interested in having a sustainable home. “Coupled with the right shading strategy, orientation is a major factor in ensuring your home is comfortable during summer and affordable to run,” says Jeremy McLeod, design director of Melbourne-based Breathe Architecture.

Ideally, you’d choose a site or home with good orientation for your climate zone and then build or renovate to maximise that block of land’s potential for passive heating and passive cooling. “What constitutes a well-oriented site will vary across the nation; in the Sydney climatic zone, a block with a north-facing backyard is best,” says Etchells. “Most of our clients want open-plan living areas at the rear, flowing onto outdoor spaces. If your home has a north-facing backyard, you should have both good natural light and cooling breezes throughout summer.”

Every site has its own micro climate to consider, he adds. “Spending time onsite for a new build or, even better, living in a home before renovating will give you valuable insights into how the sun tracks over your block.”

“THE RIGHT ORIENTATION AND SHADING STRATEGY ENSURES YOUR HOME IS COMFORTABLE AND AFFORDABLE TO RUN.” Jeremy McLeod, design director, Breathe Architecture

But it’s not always easy – or possible – for your house to be correctly oriented. “Sometimes it might feel like you’re doing battle with Mother Nature to achieve a comfortable and eco-friendly home,” says Etchells. “You need to be clever about improving energy outcomes – think raked ceilings, high-performance windows, window treatments, thermal mass, insulation and ventilation. All these design factors can really make a difference.”

It’s also good to have an understanding of how to implement passive cooling, says McLeod. “Pull awnings and blinds down before the sun hits, and open windows and doors when a cool change comes through in the evening. You might be pleasantly surprised at the difference this can make to your reliance on airconditioning.”

Australians love to welcome the sun and light into their homes, McLeod says, and when this is done well the end result is a home that’s beautiful and comfortable year-round. “Incorporating passive cooling and heating into a home reduces your reliance on energy derived from fossil fuels and your impact on the environment.” #