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RECORD ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRAINTS |
LOCATION & ORIENTATION
It is important for a building to be designed such that it is integrated with the site location and orientation. In the northern hemisphere, the following properties can be associated with the quality of light based on a building's location and orientation. For southern hemisphere, substitute north with south and vice-versa for the information below.
South orientation [1]:
Lighting quality: Light on the southern façade is most abundant and relatively uniform.
Design note: This is the most desirable façade for admitting light
because excess solar gain in the summer can be controlled with overhangs. Fenestration dimensions on the southern façade should be maximized.
North orientation [2]:
Lighting quality: Light on northern façade is less abundant, but more uniform and diffuse.
Design note: It is second most desirable after the southern façade. Adequate fenestrations on the northern façade are recommended.
East orientation [3]:
Lighting quality: Light on the eastern façade is variable throughout the day, admitting only half-day sunlight exposure. Due to this, optimum fenestration design on east facade is more difficult. The façade also experiences summer heat gains at unwanted times, while providing little passive solar contribution in winter.
Design note: Eastern façade dimensions as well as fenestrations on the façade should be minimized. Vertical screens can help control light.
West orientation [4]:
Lighting quality: Light on the western façade is variable throughout the day, admitting only half-day sunlight exposure. Due to this, optimum fenestration design on the west facade is more difficult. The west façade experiences larger summer heat gains at unwanted times, while providing little passive solar contribution in winter.
Design note: Western façade dimensions as well as fenestrations on the façade should be minimized. Vertical screens help can control light.