Solar Dream House

Kitchen moved to the north side of the house.

On the ground floor, a short passageway gives private access to the bathroom for bedrooms 2 and 3.  To compensate for the loss of direct contact with the central core the thermal wall is extended outwards between the bedrooms, and between the master bedroom and living room on the upper floor.

The central core acts as sun-trap and ventilation tower. The thermal mass wall (shown in red) accepts direct solar gain and heats the surrounding rooms.

Developing the walk-through robe and ensuite for the master bedroom.

The central core acts as sun-trap and ventilation tower. The thermal mass wall (shown in red) accepts direct solar gain and heats the surrounding rooms.

Developing the design, here the central core is wider to give rooms more exposure to the thermal wall.

The central core acts as sun-trap and ventilation tower. The thermal mass wall (shown in red) accepts direct solar gain and heats the surrounding rooms.

A new concept with a central core to act as sun-trap and ventilation tower. The thermal mass wall (shown in red) accepts direct solar gain and heats the surrounding rooms.

The first design to make it onto graph paper.

The house is divided by a thermal mass wall running along its length about 2.5 metres from the north side. The aim is to use this as a solar collector for winter solar gain.

Between the north wall (mostly glazed) and the thermal mass wall is a full-height gallery, allowing maximum exposure to the sun. The  remainder of the house features 2 levels – upper living and lower bedrooms.

Placement of the garage (shown here attached to the north side) is problematic because it will shade the solar gallery. The block does not allow for any other placement but the garage might be separated from the house.