How to Choose Your Plot Orientation to Maximize Thermal Gain

Sometimes, the difference between a cold house and a warm one isn't the heating system, but which way the living room window faces. In the southern hemisphere (Chile), the sun travels through the north. Understanding this is free, and it will save you millions in heating.

The Golden Rule: North is Heat

• North Facade: Here you should locate the spaces where you spend the most time (Living Room, Dining Room, Master Bedroom). The winter sun enters at a low angle, heating these spaces passively and for free.
• South Facade: Receives little or no direct light. Here we locate service areas: bathrooms, utility rooms, stairs, or garages. Avoid large windows to the south if you don't want to lose heat.
• West: The afternoon sun is strong and horizontal. In summer it can overheat the house. We recommend eaves or louvers.

Bioclimatic Design at Canadian Houses

We don't "copy and paste" houses on the land. We adapt the model:

1. Rotation: We rotate the architectural plan to capture the north.
2. Calculated Eaves: We design the roof overhang with the exact length to let the sun in during winter (when it is low) but provide shade in summer (when it is high).
3. Cross Ventilation: We place facing windows to generate natural air currents that cool in summer without air conditioning.

Before building, walk your land with a compass (or your phone app). Identifying north is the first step in smart construction.