URBAN SUSTAINABILITY – SOLAR ASPECTS AND INSOLATION

Sun and sun exposure are the main and almost unique source of warmth in the atmosphere. The quantity of solar energy changes during daylight hours, depending on the season and geographic location.

Quantity of accepted solar energy depends also on cloudy periods at the location. For sustainable housing, energy-saving, house orientation, and building materials are important. Locating living areas with sunny northern aspect will save on heating and cooling cost.

The best orientation for daytime use rooms is north, north-east or north-west. Bedrooms and children’s rooms have the best orientation to the east. The study, utilities, staircases, and sanitary blocks may be orientated on the south.

Heating and cooling of houses are directly influenced by the use of colored materials and their level of heat absorption. So for the Victorian region, no dark roof finishes and walls facing north should be used despite the fashion at the time. Only dark surfaces should be those actively collecting sun and converting it into the energy like hot water and solar panels. South-facing walls can be colored dark to reduce winter cooling of the house.

Few practical tips

Before filling big pool of water run water via few shallow pools with black floor tiles or temporary black matt it can increase water temperature 5-10deg depending on the quantity of water

Capture sun light via set of mirrors as in the submarine and bring it into the house.

Required World standard of living space/capita is 20m2, so if your house is any bigger it is already unsustainable and not environmental.

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There are many more environmental parameters and in this study I have covered only a few.

MECENE URBAN DESIGN invests in promoting the knowledge and problem solutions on Sustainable Urbanism subjects, to initiate the urbanists, architects, town planners and builders collaboration in creating better places.