Passive Solar
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Density is established simply by limiting building mass to prevent sun shadows being cast over any window facing south in mid winter to maximize passive solar heat gain.All daytime living spaces are placed on the south side of the buildings. Using techniques of sustainable living, the suns heat is stored in concrete floors and block walls in winter, shaded from them in summer and cooled using air flow from prevailing summer breezes.The sloped lawn meets the building at the south elevation where summer sun requires shading. A frame supports a Vine that shades all the living spaces during the summer months and because it is deciduous, allows the sun to warm the interiors in the winter.
The shadow plan established the distribution and height of buildings on the site. Each building which contains from 3 to 5 units has its own lawn for its residents. To differentiate it from the surrounding street it slopes up gently to the building. Rainwater is collected from each roof in 25,000 gallon tanks. The water is used to irrigate the landscape especially the Vine, since its well being is critical to control the temperature of the unit interiors during the summer. |
© Standing Architecture