Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jun 21, 2017 2:04 am Hi Everyone, My architect is planning to introduce alfresco court area, which will be fully covered by the first floor bedroom (north is on the right side, south is on the left). My concern is mainly that enclosed court area will be blocking northern sun to the Dining/Kitchen area, so this 3 m+ sliding door on the left side of the court won't be much of a value from the passive solar heating standpoint. Same applies to the south-facing sliding door to the left of Living. It seems to be quite a great idea from the design standpoint (e.g. as an outdoor extension of dining area), however, is it really that sound from passive solar heating perspective during the winter? Considering that doors and windows will be double glazed, would you advice some extra cover (e.g. shutters or curtains) for the sliding doors facing the court from the kitchen/dining area (to be used during the winter)? Would you advice Low-E from the inside of this door in particular? Would really like to hear from the energy efficiency/passive design experts. Thanks in advance Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Court with Alfresco, Passive Solar Heating 2Jun 21, 2017 7:17 am You will get minimal passive heating in the dining room in winter as the living room is in the way of the sun. In winter the sun typically rises at an angle of around 45 degrees so most of the suns rays are reflected rather than pas through. Looking at the plan I thnk you are really going to struggle to get the required energy rating. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Court with Alfresco, Passive Solar Heating 3Jun 24, 2017 11:20 am I hate it when architects don't take orientation & passive solar design into account. Should be the first thing they think about, as it greatly effects comfort. What are they getting paid for, designing a comfortable house should be top of the list! Yeah, the family /dining /kitchen are going to be cold & dark, with greatly shaded northern windows, & only another tiny W window & one to the S. I'd be looking for substantial changes, or a total redesign. Looks like a northern frontage. Pity, as the double garage takes up quite a bit of your northern aspect. Have you considered moving one of your living areas upstairs to the north. It will be a nice sunny place in winter. The master (or another bedroom, if you have a guestroom) could be moved downstairs, to the south side. You obviously want some of your living area to have a connection to the backyard, but I'd move more of it to have a connection to the pool, to the sunny north. Up beside the northern living room, if there's room to move the pool forward, our re-orientate it. The backyard will be cold in winter anyway. Don't have a covered alfresco on the north side, only a pergola or vergola, which will let in winter northern sunshine. If you want a covered alfresco, put it out back, as it won't shade the house. The alfresco would be cold in winter, but nice in summer. I guess you've had a good read of, http://www.yourhome.gov.au ? Good luck with the build. Re: Court with Alfresco, Passive Solar Heating 4Jun 24, 2017 12:43 pm Hi Guys, Thanks a lot for your comments. Here is my view: 1) Kitchen and living will be certainly getting some northern sun during winter (kitchen should not be shaded much by the living). 2) Northern side patio (opp. living room) and pergola next to kitchen are all with retractable roofing. 3) Court area is alfresco in itself and I mainly consider it for the evenings or summers. 4) Garage can't be moved, unfortunately. 5) I am planning adding another southern window to the family area and having it more like 'a summer' family area, while living will be acting as a 'winter' one. Yes, having northern aspect is not the best thing to have, so we have tried at least to maximise design from the passive heating orientation and make sure we get some of the living areas on the way to northern son. On the other side, some minimal solar-powered heating + shaders to the family/dining could possibly help as the thermal mass will be there. I've filled, levelled and compacted around 100mm of roadbase in preparation to lay some outdoor court tiles. Prior to doing the final compaction, I dusted the top with… 0 3037 0 4934 Hello! I've alfresco pitch of 3 degrees sitting just below the highlight window. Need advice on below: 1. Will the 3 degree pitch be ok to drain the rain water? The roof… 0 4168 |