Architectural Design Process | Form, Orientation and Sunlight

Summary

In this video, architect Eric from 30 by 40 Design Workshop explores the importance of the Sun in architectural design. Using a real project as a case study, he demonstrates how understanding solar orientation can optimize natural lighting, passive heating, and cooling. He discusses balancing views with sunlight, designing with solar exposure in mind, and using tools like Sun charts to create efficient shading systems. The video emphasizes the impact of thoughtful design on energy efficiency, comfort, and creating a harmonious connection between architecture and its site.

Takeaways

• 😀 Architecture begins with understanding the site, including climate, geography, wind patterns, and sunlight.
• 🌞 The Sun plays a critical role in architecture by influencing natural light, passive heating, and cooling.
• 🏠 In northern hemisphere, southern orientation is optimal for capturing sunlight and reducing energy costs.
• 🌅 Balancing solar exposure and aesthetic views is a challenge in design, such as when choosing between sun exposure and ocean views.
• 🔄 Dividing the program into public and private wings can allow for optimal sunlight and view orientations.
• 🌤 Using circulation paths strategically can create changing perspectives of the site and maximize sunlight access.
• 🌞 Clerestories are effective for daylighting interior spaces, but must be designed to manage solar heat gain effectively.
• ⛱ Horizontal shading elements like louvers help block excessive solar radiation, especially during summer months.
• 🗓 Solar charts help determine the Sun's angles during key times of the year, allowing precise louver design for different climates.
• 📐 The spacing and depth of louvers can be adjusted based on geographic location and solar angles to optimize energy efficiency.
• 🌬 The stack effect can be leveraged by adding operable windows at higher points, promoting passive cooling and air circulation.

Q & A

What is the main goal of architects when designing with sunlight?

The main goal is to use sunlight to improve natural lighting, passive heating, and cooling, while reducing energy costs and promoting occupant well-being.

Why is the south-facing orientation preferred in the northern hemisphere for solar design?

The south-facing orientation in the northern hemisphere captures the most direct sunlight, which is essential for maximizing natural light and passive heating, especially during colder months.

What challenge did the site in the case study present in terms of solar orientation and views?

The site was east-facing with ocean views to the east, which created a dilemma between orienting the building for solar exposure versus maintaining the ocean view from every room.

How did the design solve the issue of balancing sunlight and ocean views?

The design split the building into two wings: the public and private wings were oriented east-west, allowing sunlight capture on the longer axes and maintaining ocean views in key spaces like the living room and master suite.

What role does circulation play in the design of the house?

The circulation connects the different building volumes and helps change the perspective as the client moves through the house, creating a dynamic experience of the site throughout the day.

How does the roof design impact solar exposure and daylighting?

The roof is designed with a shed form and a southern eave that includes a glazed clerestory, allowing sunlight to enter and reflect off the taller northern wing, helping to illuminate the interior more effectively.

What is the purpose of using horizontal louvers in this design?

Horizontal louvers are used to block high-angle summer sunlight to prevent overheating, while allowing lower-angle winter sunlight to provide passive heating and daylighting.

How do solar charts help in the design process?

Solar charts are used to determine the solar angles at specific times of the year (like solstices and equinoxes), allowing architects to adjust design elements like louvers to optimize solar exposure based on the geographic location.

Why is an external shading solution preferred over an internal one?

External shading solutions, like louvers or sunshades, are more effective at preventing sunlight from hitting the glass in the first place, avoiding issues like glare and overheating inside the building.

What is the stack effect, and how is it utilized in this design?

The stack effect refers to the natural convective flow where warm air rises and is vented out through high windows, allowing cooler air to enter through lower openings. In this design, operable clerestory windows take advantage of the stack effect for passive cooling and ventilation.