Orientation

Building Orientation
Building orientation refers to the way
a building is situated on a site and the
positioning of windows, rooflines, and
other features.
It is the practice of facing a building
so as to maximize certain aspects of
its surroundings, such as street
appeal, to capture a scenic view, for
drainage considerations, etc.

The Suns True Position

The Sun rises in the east and
sets in the west, but, if this
were true, building orientation
would be a fairly simple matter.
In reality, the sun rises and sets
in the east and west only on the
autumnal and vernal equinoxes
(March 20 & Sept 23), and
something
very
different
happens during the remaining
363 days of the year.

The Suns True Position

The Earths tilt causes
the Sun to rise and set
slightly south of east and
west in the winter, and
slightly north of east and
west in the summer.
This slight angle depends
on the time of year and
the observers distance
from the equator.

The Suns True Position

As a result, the winter sun spends all
of its time in the southern sky, and
the summer sun spendsmuch of its
time in the northern sky.
In the Southern Hemisphere, all of
these directions are reversed.

Why Orientation?
Plan carefully the orientation of the
building to the sun, wind and breezes.
Plan carefully its siting and shape.
Wrong decisions will make the building
less comfortable and downright energyinefficient.
It will never be environmentally-friendly
and the energy bills will be more, over
its lifetime.

Major Climate Zones

Cold or moderate climate - the
site should provide direct sunlight
and protection from freezing winds,
Hot climate - the site should be
able to provide shade and sun
protection.

Hot and Dry Climatic Zones

This climatic condition generally occurs at latitude
between 15 degrees to 30 degrees on both the
hemispheres.
Maximum day time summer temperature goes as
high as 45 degree centigrade and relative
humidity as low up to 20 %.
This type of climate is experienced in areas far
from sea coasts and do not receive heavy rainfall.
Thus, the humidity is very low.
So, thebuildingsin this climatic zone should be
orientated based on solar point of view so that the
building receives maximum solar radiation
during winter season and minimum radiation
during summer season.

Desirable features of buildings

in hot and dry climatic zones
Orientation of building
Non-habitat
rooms
can
be
located on outer faces to act as
thermal barrier.
Longerwallsof building should
face North & South so that the
building gets minimum solar
exposure.
Preferably the kitchen should be
located on leeward side of the
building to avoid circulation of
hot air and smell from the
kitchen.

Desirable Features (Cont.)

Windows and Openings in Walls
Windows and large openings in walls
with heavy shutters should be provided
on northern and western faces as light
coming from north is always diffused
and indirect.
Also direction of breeze, which is from
west at most of the places, enters from
opening on west side. Windows area
should be 15 to 20 percent of floor area.

Desirable Features (Cont.)

Windows and Openings in Walls
Internal courtyard caters for cross
ventilation & thermal buffer.
Suitable radiation barriers in the form of
canopies, chhajjas, long verandahs etc.
should be provided on the West side of
the building.
Sufficient number of ventilators close to
the bottom of slab should be provided for
hot air to escape the room.

Desirable Features (Cont.)

Orientation of Walls
Thickness of wall plays an important role
in heat insulation of building. Thicker
outer walls are preferred as it behaves as
an insulating barrier.
Painting of walls from outside also plays
an important role. Walls with light and
shining paints on outer surface have good
reflective quality and do not absorb heat.

Desirable Features (Cont.)

Orientation of Walls
The surface of walls should be
smooth and non-dust catching
type.
Walls constructed with hollow
blocks / bricks andCavity Wallscan
also be provided as they provide
very good thermal insulation.

Desirable Features (Cont.)

Insulation of Roofs
Roofs should be built up with good
insulating material having slope in
windward direction and which reflects
the radiation and does not absorb heat.
False ceiling can be used to improve
thermal performance of building.

Desirable Features (Cont.)

Insulation of Roofs
Terracing should be provided on the flat
roof with mud phuska, limeconcrete,
foamedconcreteor burnt clay block
paving over roof slab.
Top roof surface should be made
reflective by providing whitewashing or
any reflective paint.

Desirable Features (Cont.)

Growing of Vegetation
Large shady trees whose roots do not strain
foundation and basement should be planted
near external walls to provide shade.

Special
Orientation
Requirements

Building

Outdoor
sleeping
area
for
summer nights preferably is
provided. Desert coolers and
fans can be used during summer

Cold Climate
Sun Facing Rooms
In cold and mix climates the main living
areas should be located in the sunny side of
the house. In other words: they should face
the south, in the northern hemisphere (or the
north, in the southern hemisphere).
To avoid overheating during the summer,
consider trees planted at a proper distanceof
the house, and also overhangs and shading
devices (awnings, shutters, pergolas).

Cold Climate
Buffer Rooms And Spaces
In cold and temperate climates, locate
infrequently used rooms like garages,
bathrooms, stairs and laundry rooms in
the non-sunny side of the house. They
can act as thermal buffer spaces.

Cold Climate
East-facing rooms
East-facing rooms can benefit from
morning light and their warming effects,
and bedrooms, breakfast rooms and
kitchens can take advantage of it, at
least in moderate climates.
There may be also be unwanted heat
gains and glare during the summer in
east-facing rooms; to prevent it,
consider horizontal and low shading.

Cold Climate
West Facing Rooms
Rooms facing the west will benefit from the
warming sun during the late afternoon,
something that can make them appealing
spaces in moderate and some cold-sunny
climates.
But like east-facing rooms, west-facing rooms
can also be a source of unwanted heat gains
and glare, during the late afternoon.
Horizontal-low shading can prevent
overheating and glare.

Planning for tree shade

Trees can both provide needed shade on a
balmy summer day and starve the house of
natural light when it is needed most.
Deciduous trees planted on the south side will
lose their leaves in the winter and allow natural
light to enter the house, while evergreen trees
planted on the north and west side will provide
shade from the summer sun.

The age, species, growth rate

and mature canopy cover of
existing
trees
should
be
carefully
considered
before
deciding where to orient a

Driveways
Driveways and parking lots are made using gravel
and asphalt materials that heat up faster and
reach higher temperatures than the rest of the
yard.
Excessive heat there can spill over to the adjacent
house, which is why placement of the driveway or
parking lot to the south or east of the building can
reduce summer heat buildup in southern climates.

During the cold winter months

in northern climates, a south- or
west-oriented driveway will melt
snow faster and provide the
home with greater warmth.

Orientation as per Winds

Prevailing winds - the winds that blow predominantly
from a single, general direction over a particular point.
Data for these winds can be used to design a building
that can take advantage of summer breezes for
passive cooling, as well as shield against adverse
winds that can further chill the interior on an already
cold winter day, or even prevent snow from piling up
against windows and doors.

Detailed
information
about
prevailing
winds
usually
available from airports, larger
libraries, Internet sources, and
county agricultural extension

Orientation as per Winds

As a general rule of thumb, cold winter winds
generally come from the north and west, which
can be limited by using insulating glazing on
these sides of the house.
The coastal areas typically experience breezes
from an onshore direction, while cool breezes
flow down valleys from mountain slopes.