Working with the New Zealand Climate
The art of Passive Solar Design makes the best use of our New Zealand climate. Not to be confused with PassiveHaus – we create homes and buildings that are warm in winter and cool in summer, naturally – using the building fabric.
Designing to Site and Microclimate
This means that our designs fit the site and microclimate and do so through careful planning of the building design and materials. It also means that there are no wasted materials or expensive technology required to make the building work.
Essential Principles of Passive Solar Design
You may well know the essential principles of Passive Solar Design:
- Orient the building to the sun
- Place living spaces and main windows facing north (in New Zealand) to capture winter sun
- Use the sun for heating
- Let sunlight enter through windows in winter to naturally warm the building
- Control summer heat
- Use eaves, shading, or pergolas to block high summer sun while still allowing winter sun in
- Include thermal mass
- Use materials like concrete, brick, or stone inside the building to store heat during the day and release it at night
- Insulate well
- Good insulation in walls, floors, and roofs keeps heat inside during winter and outside during summer
- Design for natural ventilation
- Place windows and openings to allow cooling breezes and remove hot air in summer
- Fit the building to the site
- Respond to the local climate, wind, slope, and surroundings to improve comfort and performance
The Art of Combining These Principles
The art of Passive Solar Design lies in the combination of these ideas and gaining a comprehensive understanding of each site and of our Clients’ requirements. Working this way may not necessarily cost any more if it is done from the start of a project – with Solarchitect.!
