North Facing Property

Vineet Babbar · Jan 10, 2021 12:28 am

Hi there,

This is my first post on HO.
We are planning to get a 4 Bedroom house build on north facing property. There is a trail at the rear side (South) with a bit of a view and a big back yard.
We would like to have living area (including the Kitchen and the Meals Area) facing towards to the trail so that we can enjoy the view while sitting there.
I'm really confused about the orietation of the new build. In some of the posts, I read that ideal is to have the living area towards the North side. But the requirement is in contrary.
Would like to see the suggestions from the experienced peeps out there.

Hillsbuilds · Jan 10, 2021 9:13 am

Yes, you have contradicting requirements. However there are things you can do to get the north light into the back of your house. We have exactly the same issue, so we have a courtyard between the front and back of the house. Otherwise you could use skylights or clerestory windows. It really makes all the difference having north light in your living areas. Bear in mind also appropriate shading for summertime. Check out www.yourhome.gov.au, esp the passive design section.

gogo65 · Jan 10, 2021 3:53 pm

It seems that north is at the front of your property? In which case its not the ideal orientation, you want your back or living areas facing north, if your rear is south, then your front will be north.

Vineet Babbar · Jan 10, 2021 9:43 pm

Hillsbuilds

Yes, you have contradicting requirements. However there are things you can do to get the north light into the back of your house. We have exactly the same issue, so we have a courtyard between the front and back of the house. Otherwise you could use skylights or clerestory windows. It really makes all the difference having north light in your living areas. Bear in mind also appropriate shading for summertime. Check out http://www.yourhome.gov.au, esp the passive design section.

Thanks for your reply. We have been to the Display Homes and we really liked on the plans from Arden Homes which is Sienna 28. This one has a courtyard in between front and back of the house, as you suggested.
We need to make few changes on this design to our requirements.
Do you have a plan to share?

Cheers!! Vin

Vineet Babbar · Jan 11, 2021 11:16 am

gogo65

It seems that north is at the front of your property? In which case its not the ideal orientation, you want your back or living areas facing north, if your rear is south, then your front will be north.

Hi Gogo, Our property is north facing (front to north and rear to south). We would like to have the living areas at the rear (south).
What are your suggestions about the plan?

Hillsbuilds · Jan 11, 2021 10:51 pm

Vineet Babbar

Hillsbuilds

Yes, you have contradicting requirements. However there are things you can do to get the north light into the back of your house. We have exactly the same issue, so we have a courtyard between the front and back of the house. Otherwise you could use skylights or clerestory windows. It really makes all the difference having north light in your living areas. Bear in mind also appropriate shading for summertime. Check out http://www.yourhome.gov.au, esp the passive design section.

Thanks for your reply. We have been to the Display Homes and we really liked on the plans from Arden Homes which is Sienna 28. This one has a courtyard in between front and back of the house, as you suggested.
We need to make few changes on this design to our requirements.
Do you have a plan to share?

Cheers!! Vin

This is my thread. I’ve removed the plans for privacy reasons, but you may get an idea from the pics.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=92728&hilit=Hamptons&p=1884705#p1884705

gogo65 · Jan 12, 2021 10:38 pm

Hi Vineet, north facing means back yard is facing north, so your block is south facing.
In order to get the most out of your orientation, your living areas will need to be at the front or as suggested a plan with a courtyard that will allow northerly sun into the rear section of the house

ConfusedSoul · Jan 13, 2021 9:53 pm

I thought if you stand inside the house and look towards the front door and it faces North, the house orientation is said to be North facing.

gogo65 · Jan 14, 2021 5:14 pm

Nope other way around, stand in your front door, if North is directly ahead then you have a north facing block

Vineet Babbar · Jan 14, 2021 10:39 pm

Hi Guys, Just an update from my last message.
I've sussed a mud plan for the home. Can you guys please provide your inputs into it for the improvements? Mud MapLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

moudzj · Jan 15, 2021 12:16 am

Hey mate,

Very quickly cadded this up for you. Inbox me if youd like the .pdf files.

Made some very obvious changes, and fixed a dimensional error you made with the rumpus. Changed benchtop dimensions to max ceaserstone slab size, walk room within kitchen, added doors (kind of), adjusted garage opening etc.

Enjoy and goodluck.

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Vineet Babbar · Jan 15, 2021 2:16 pm

Hi Moudzj,

You are a real champion, I think this image file will do for me.

Would you recommend any alterations in the plan from the northerly aspect of the property? We would like to have 2 master ensuites, a big living space, small lounge at the front, and a small study space.

Cheers!!
Vineet