Hello everyone! We are currently working with an architect to plan a single-family house of about 140sqm (1,507 sq ft) with a shed roof, without a basement. We have a plot of land approximately 24 x 19m (79 x 62 ft), oriented so that if the house were positioned in the usual way facing the street, the garden would be on the north side (the 19m (62 ft) side of the plot faces the street).
Now, the architect has designed a really nice, "architecturally appealing" building that is quite narrow in its footprint, with the following exterior dimensions: 5.90 x 16.15m (19.4 x 53 ft), with the narrow side facing the street (south). Very narrow, but this way we can create a nice west-facing garden with a great terrace. We like the floor plan, and the layout works well for us. The roof would slope towards the east. BUT:
We are wondering about such a narrow building. Nowadays, energy-efficient building is quite important, and we think the energy aspect shouldn't be overlooked. From what we read online, shed roofs, whether for energy saving or generation, are usually oriented to the north or south. Also, a narrow building tends to lose more energy than a more square-shaped one, right? In addition, we are uncertain about planning a solar thermal system on the garage roof. Is all of this worth it for the west-facing garden? Or would a more traditional, conventional building be the wiser choice?
If you need any more information, just ask!
Thank you in advance!
Now, the architect has designed a really nice, "architecturally appealing" building that is quite narrow in its footprint, with the following exterior dimensions: 5.90 x 16.15m (19.4 x 53 ft), with the narrow side facing the street (south). Very narrow, but this way we can create a nice west-facing garden with a great terrace. We like the floor plan, and the layout works well for us. The roof would slope towards the east. BUT:
We are wondering about such a narrow building. Nowadays, energy-efficient building is quite important, and we think the energy aspect shouldn't be overlooked. From what we read online, shed roofs, whether for energy saving or generation, are usually oriented to the north or south. Also, a narrow building tends to lose more energy than a more square-shaped one, right? In addition, we are uncertain about planning a solar thermal system on the garage roof. Is all of this worth it for the west-facing garden? Or would a more traditional, conventional building be the wiser choice?
If you need any more information, just ask!
Thank you in advance!
On the one hand, the building’s energy efficiency is calculated individually, so I wouldn’t worry about that.
On the other hand, a garage can also be used to support a solar panel system.
I’m interested in the design and the location on the plot. I roughly sketched it out myself and found it feasible. Still, 5.90 meters (about 19 feet 4 inches) as an external dimension is quite extreme (I know these dimensions from houseboats), so I’m curious about the room layouts. If you like, feel free to obscure the architect’s name and post the designs here or send them to me in a private message.
On the other hand, a garage can also be used to support a solar panel system.
I’m interested in the design and the location on the plot. I roughly sketched it out myself and found it feasible. Still, 5.90 meters (about 19 feet 4 inches) as an external dimension is quite extreme (I know these dimensions from houseboats), so I’m curious about the room layouts. If you like, feel free to obscure the architect’s name and post the designs here or send them to me in a private message.
Hello
We are also building an elongated shed roof house.
Our dimensions are not as extreme as yours.
KfW 40 standard is our goal, and with appropriate insulation and heat generation, this is also easily achievable.
Our roof, and thus the living space, faces southwest.
The thermal solar system is installed on the garage roof, with the buffer tank directly below it.
Site plan, floor plan, and elevations would also interest me.
My design can also be found here in the forum.
Olli
We are also building an elongated shed roof house.
Our dimensions are not as extreme as yours.
KfW 40 standard is our goal, and with appropriate insulation and heat generation, this is also easily achievable.
Our roof, and thus the living space, faces southwest.
The thermal solar system is installed on the garage roof, with the buffer tank directly below it.
Site plan, floor plan, and elevations would also interest me.
My design can also be found here in the forum.
Olli
N
nordanney15 Aug 2015 16:16A house like that would be a no-go for me! Far too narrow!
BUT: The north-facing garden is really nice. If you are home in the afternoon or evening, the sun comes from the west and shines beautifully into the garden. With a bit of creative garden planning, you can create a lovely sunny garden with a suitable terrace or terraces.
Personally, I wouldn’t be interested in a south or southwest-facing garden, because the sun hits the terrace fully all day. We have a north/east garden ourselves. The house is set at a slight angle with a west/north corner terrace. We can have breakfast in the morning sun and then (once the sun has moved around the house) enjoy sunlight on one part of the terrace all day, and in the afternoon on the entire terrace.
Of course, this also depends on neighboring buildings (a site plan is useful), but I think it’s easier to experiment with the garden than to regret having a house that’s too narrow later on.
BUT: The north-facing garden is really nice. If you are home in the afternoon or evening, the sun comes from the west and shines beautifully into the garden. With a bit of creative garden planning, you can create a lovely sunny garden with a suitable terrace or terraces.
Personally, I wouldn’t be interested in a south or southwest-facing garden, because the sun hits the terrace fully all day. We have a north/east garden ourselves. The house is set at a slight angle with a west/north corner terrace. We can have breakfast in the morning sun and then (once the sun has moved around the house) enjoy sunlight on one part of the terrace all day, and in the afternoon on the entire terrace.
Of course, this also depends on neighboring buildings (a site plan is useful), but I think it’s easier to experiment with the garden than to regret having a house that’s too narrow later on.
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