The concept of north-facing house design emphasizes the use of natural light and passive solar principles to bring in ample sunlight and fresh air into the home. North-facing house designs typically position the principal living areas, such as the living room, kitchen and bedrooms, towards the northern aspect to take full advantage of the natural light and warmth. This approach offers maximum comfort and energy efficiency by incorporating the climatic conditions of the location into the design.Northern Aspect House Design Principles
Northern Aspect House Design Principles
Passive solar house designs are based on the concept of using natural energy sources, such as the sun and prevailing winds to maintain comfortable living conditions indoors. By implementing the principles of passive solar house design, homeowners can enjoy a comfortable living environment in their homes without having to rely on costly, energy-intensive systems. This can also lead to significant cost savings in both electricity and heating.Northern Aspect Passive Solar House Design
Northern Aspect Passive Solar House Design
Featuring trees, shrubs and other green elements around the house can also be beneficial in many ways. Not only do they improve the aesthetics of your home and garden, but they also provide natural insulation, reduce heat gain and loss, and can help with passive cooling in warmer climates. Additionally, servicing all the thermal and acoustic insulation in exterior walls and windows can help optimize the performance of your north-facing house design.Northern Aspect House Design Tips
Northern Aspect House Design Tips
A north-facing house design is not limited by the size of the home. In fact, with clever space-saving solutions, you can make the most of limited space and create an aesthetically pleasing, functional and energy-efficient living area. Opting for a single story design with plenty of natural light flows throughout the home, making full use of corners and alcoves for storage, and maximizing vertical space for loft beds, are a few ideas to consider for a small north-facing house design.Small Northern Aspect House Design Ideas
Small Northern Aspect House Design Ideas
The beauty of timber cladding for a north-facing house design lies in its ability to insulate against heat and noise, its environmental-friendly nature, and its aesthetic flexibility to fit into any style. As cladding helps create a sealed envelope around the home, it adds another layer of protection against heat gain and loss, resulting in a comfortable indoor environment. Additionally, it reduces the energy requirements of a home, making it a great sustainable design feature with considerable monetary savings in the long run.Timber Cladding Northern Aspect House Design
Timber Cladding Northern Aspect House Design
When it comes to taking full advantage of the natural lighting and warmth of the north-facing aspect in a home, the tropical house design could be the perfect fit. The open floor plan, wide verandahs, and prominent use of features such as high ceilings, large windows, and a multitude of open doors, create a light-filled living environment with ample air flow. In addition, features such as outdoor kitchens, water features, and an inviting selection of tropical plants can provide a sense of comfort and well-being.Tropical Northern Aspect House Design
Tropical Northern Aspect House Design
Modern, contemporary home designs are becoming increasingly popular for homeowners wanting to take advantage of the north-facing aspect. Clean lines, neutral colour palettes, and a strong emphasis on streamlined aesthetics are the hallmarks of a sleek contemporary space. To make the most out of the north-facing aspect, however, features such as large horizontal windows, timber walls, and a prominent use of glass doors and skylights can help maximize the amount of natural light.Contemporary Northern Aspect House Design
Contemporary Northern Aspect House Design
Sustainable north-facing house design solutions can go a long way in helping to reduce energy costs and create an eco-friendly living environment. Consider building a home with green materials such as recycled products and sustainable building materials, maximizing natural light with skylights, solar panels, and automatic natural daylight sensors, and utilizing water-saving methods such as rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation. Additionally, with the mass of timber-cladding options available, you can create an insulated, low-maintenance, energy-efficient home attractive from both a functional and aesthetic standpoint.Sustainable Northern Aspect House Design
Sustainable Northern Aspect House Design
When it comes to low-maintenance house designs, a north-facing house is the perfect option. Choosing durable, cleverly-designed materials and systems such as long-lasting clay brick walls, timber cladding, and a rooftop that supports solar-thermal water heating will not only help reduce energy bills, but will also reduce the overall maintenance costs of the home. Furthermore, using timber flooring and balconies can add additional longevity to the home, as well as create a warm and inviting atmosphere.Low-Maintenance Northern Aspect House Design
Low-Maintenance Northern Aspect House Design
Energy-efficiency in north-facing homes can be effectively achieved by capitalizing on the use of natural elements. This involves strategic placement of windows to take full advantage of the north-facing aspect, incorporating sustainable building materials, and ensuring excellent insulation throughout the design. Additionally, the use of passive cooling systems, such as evaporative cooling, can help control temperature fluctuations and create a comfortable home atmosphere.Energy-Efficient Northern Aspect House Design
Energy-Efficient Northern Aspect House Design
A balanced north-facing house design should result in an energy-efficient, comfortable home that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain. To achieve such an effect consider incorporating bright interior colour schemes and warm wood elements to create a sense of balance, utilizing the natural elements of the outdoor environment to enhance the atmosphere, and carefully positioning furniture and fittings to take full advantage of the natural light.Balanced Northern Aspect House Design
Balanced Northern Aspect House Design
Make the Most of Your Northerly Aspect House Design
When you own a northerly aspect house the key is to make the most of its natural advantages – and there are many! Natural light pours in from the north and helps create a comfortable, cool home. What’s more, a northerly aspect reduces the risk of summer heat penetrating your home, and the right house design can help you to strike a balance between the northern elements and make the most of the ecological advantages.
Designing a northerly aspect house gives you the opportunity to create something truly unique and beautiful. To get the desired effect, the overall design should be considered and how best to make use of the natural light and air flow. Before you start, it’s a good idea to develop some plans and consider the following:
Floor Plans & Layout
This starts with the basics – how you decide to make use of the interior space and the orientation of the house. When considering the layout, the most important thing to consider is the way natural light reaches each part of the home. Make sure that the living areas and kitchen are facing more north than south and that bedrooms and bathrooms are towards the cooler parts of the house. On the other hand, bathrooms can be located in an area that collects more sunlight, but make sure that oxidation problems are avoided. This type of planning helps provide a cool and comfortable interior.
Materials & Finishes
Given the northerly aspect, make sure to use the right building materials in order to maintain a comfortable temperature. Deciding on the right house design finishes is essential. Choose exterior cladding that is suited to enable natural air flow and good insulation. Use materials that will deflect any direct example with dark, warm colors and metal roofing or shingles. This helps to create a warm, inviting interior that absorbs the natural light and air flow.
Windows & Doors
Finally, the windows and doors of a northerly aspect house design should provide an ideal balance between natural light and air flow. Consider installing messaging operable windows and doors to enable the regulation of air temperature. And, for added insulation, think about awnings and shutters that can be set up to regulate the direction of natural light. With the right planning and materials, these elements can help to create a beautiful and comfortable home that embraces the northerly aspect.
