URBAN SUSTAINABILITY – SPATIAL CONFIGURATION AND ORIENTATION

Best way of addressing spatial configuration and orientation is on the large scale projects where great numbers of houses are grouped. Structure planning and masterplanning of all precincts should incorporate environmentally driven decisions that provide 1, 2 or 3 star improvement for future houses regardless of their other design elements.

Negative southern cooling effect in winter can be overcomed with earth mounds, appropriate design of adjacent buildings or planned building use to best service entire development.

Note that soil mound can act as a quality thermal mass and passive design technique. So if retaining walls are present on site their benefits would best serve the site if they can shelter the house from the south.

Reduced house footprint and increase in strategically placed shared open spaces are crucial in delivering under high environmental principals.