Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Quick question about land orientation 6Oct 05, 2017 11:30 am I work in the building industry and live in brisbane and orientation is all down to capturing the prevalent breezes and making the most of the northern aspect as this is usually seen a small more "desirable" in brissie no matter the season. Because we are subtropical the sun always travels around to the north (unlike up north in cairns I think where a small sort of the year the sun actually is to the south too!)
It is a personal preference but living areas to the north are usually lighter, brighter and due to sun angles (higher in summer and lower in winter) you will oftentimes be shaded in summer but get some lovely sun into your living spaces in winter. Having you backyard to the south isn't a bad thing either but it will be cold and shady and be aware that in summer you will get the hot afternoon sun beating in from the south west. The front or south facing block is a bit confusing - i take it that just refers to where your driveway comes off the street. But all house plans are different so just looks at yours and where your living areas are. Also take a look at your exact block - are there significant trees to provide shade or hills/rises to block breezes. Go out and stand on your block a two different times of day. Re: Quick question about land orientation 7Oct 05, 2017 12:10 pm We live in the Moreton Bay region and have bought a narrow block of land with the front facing south east. We have designed the house with the living areas on the northern side and outdoor living on the northern side. I don't think it really matters which way the block faces as long as you design the house to suit the block. We have always found that during Winter, the sun in more to the north and during Summer, the sun is more to the south. So that way the outdoor living areas will be warmer in Winter (with more sun coming in) and cooler in Summer when the sun is on the other side of the house. The house we live in at the moment faces West, so again the outdoor living area is on the northern side to be warmer in Winter and cooler in Summer. I don't think it matters which way your house faces, as long as the design works. We are buying a house off the plan which works for our block, but sometimes you can just flip them to make them work. Re: Quick question about land orientation 8Oct 05, 2017 12:45 pm Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Here's the basic floor plan provided by Porter Davis. In addition to this, there would be more alfresco at the back (behind the theatre/family area). Behind this would then be a pool as well. As well as this, the wall in the family room which is facing the backyard, is large windows, see image below, so I think it might be pretty important for me to work out how to best handle these windows. I don't want the sun beaming in through them in the middle of summer. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ So I'd say the living area is mostly at the back (kitchen, family, outdoor, pool). Based on this, sounds like I would want a Southern facing house (i.e. backyard faces north). Am I right in saying the backyard will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer? Re: Quick question about land orientation 9Oct 05, 2017 1:31 pm As long as the outdoor area has more of a northern aspect than southern aspect, it will be cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter. You can always reverse the floor plan if you need to. Take the plan with you when you are looking at blocks and see how it would work on the block. Re: Quick question about land orientation 10Oct 05, 2017 2:14 pm bestspecials As long as the outdoor area has more of a northern aspect than southern aspect, it will be cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter. You can always reverse the floor plan if you need to. Take the plan with you when you are looking at blocks and see how it would work on the block. Bingo. It’s that easy! 1. Roof cleaning and paint - which colour do you recommend? I often see black/ dark grey in use these days but I would prefer… 0 8310 Yeah I don't know why I came to a forum. Place is full of wierdos/pedos thought internet may help but I suppose I'll try my luck with someone in person. Cheers. I tried… 0 6389 Need advice on the backyard plan above. Should I excavate and cut all of the dirt to level with the house slab or semi-excavate as per photo above? Both left and right… 0 24829 |