What to Consider When Orienting Your Home

To achieve optimised orientation, the most important factors to consider are:

Climate: Your climate will dictate your heating and cooling needs, and thus the best orientation for your home. When designing your custom modular home we consider your individual sites needs. From Antarctic winds in Tasmania to tropical Queensland conditions we have you covered.

True North and sun angles: In Australia, solar access tends to come from the sun’s path in the north — when it comes to house orientation, “north” refers to how your home is oriented to true or “solar” north. At Arkular, we determine the true north based on the site location and orient spaces accordingly.

Orientation for the site: North-facing walls and windows receive more sun in winter because the sun is lower in the sky, with east and west-facing walls and windows receive more sun in summer. We will assess placement of windows and walls for solar gain specific to your site.

Image: South Golden Beach House

Image: Cardrona Hut by RTA Studio

The Importance of Orientation

Orientation plays a crucial role in designing and building an Arkular modular home, influencing comfort, energy efficiency and overall livability.

Why Arkular considers orientation:

Natural Light – Correct orientation ensure optimal exposure to sunlight to enhance natural light and reduce reliance on artificial lighting. We implement passive solar design, to heat spaces effectively throughout the day.

Energy Efficiency – we consider the direction of prevailing winds and sunlight,to maximise energy efficiency, including placement of windows and overhangs to facilitate natural ventilation and reduce heat loss.

Views and Connection to Nature – we ensure to position a home to take advantage of landscapes or natural features to enhance living experience and connection to the environment.

How Arkular Maximises Orientation

Orientation is the position of your home in relation to the path of the sun and the prevailing wind in your region. At Arkular, we consider the following to optimise your homes orientation:

The Sun’s Path – As the path of the sun in Australia is to the north, orientation is usually positioning living areas to face north as north-facing rooms receive sun for the longest period during winter and can be easily shaded in summer.

Passive Solar Design – Arkular uses passive solar design principles by orienting the home to capture maximum sunlight to reduce costs and improve natural light.

Strategic Window Placement – we considered windows for ample sunlight and consider overhangs and awnings for shade.

Landscaping – We use landscaping by planting trees or shrubs to provide shade in the summer while allowing sunlight to filter through in the winter

Energy Efficiency – we use high-grade insulation and double-glazing to maximise energy efficiency. These features combined with considered orientation can significantly reduce energy consumption.

Image: Shoreham House by Plume House

Image: Fish Creek House

Image: The Farm by Fergus Scott Architects

Image: Modern Barn Form by Red Architecture

Image: MAPA Architects’ Retreat in Finca Aguy

Sustainable & Stylish – Fish Creek House

Designed for energy efficiency and to have a minimal impact on the environment, the Fish Creek House uses passive design principles including optimised orientation, shading, double glazing and high grade insulation for a high performing Arkular home.

Separated into two modules, the sleeping module is nestled against a forest verge that provides protection from the prevailing south westerly’s. The living, kitchen and dining spaces oriented towards north to provide natural light and heat from the sun.

Strategically placed operable windows / doors allows for cross ventilation, with natural light provided to all habitable rooms, while awnings over to northern and eastern glazing protect from the harsher summer sun.

View more details about the Fish Creek House here.

Image: Fish Creek House

Image: Fish Creek House