Design Checklist
- Terraced housing is located and orientated to make the best use of sunlight to principal living areas and open spaces, and to provide a good balance between access to winter sun and shading from summer sun
- Daylight access is always provided in all habitable rooms
- The development allows residents to adjust natural lighting to suit their needs
Designing for the sun is very important as terraced and semi-detached houses have fewer aspects than a detached house.
‘Passive solar design’ means orientating and designing your house to receive heat from the sun during winter months and shade and natural ventilation during warmer months. This will decrease the energy costs of new houses and increase their value.
Although people like to have sun in most rooms of the house, sun exposure in terraced and semi-detached housing should be prioritised in the principal living area and the accessible outdoor garden or balcony, so that everybody in the house can maximise the enjoyment of this space.
With a careful approach a passive solar design can be achieved while dealing with other design issues such as addressing the street.