ᐅ Single-Family Home Orientation: Garden and Patio Facing South or West?

Hello.

I would like your advice on the basic planning of the ground floor, specifically regarding the orientation of the garden and the terrace—whether the south side or the west side of the house is better.

At this stage, the rest of the house is not the main focus and will be adjusted later. Still, here are the key details.


Development plan/restrictions
Plot size: 814m² (8757 sq ft)
Slight north-facing slope
Site coverage ratio 0.4
Floor area ratio 0.7
Building envelope, building line, and boundary: See pictures
Surrounding development
Number of parking spaces: Large double garage (2 cars, bicycles, etc. should fit)
Number of floors: Basement and ground floor
Roof type: Gable roof, pitch 30°, ridge direction east-west as prescribed by the building envelope, but this might be flexible
Architectural style: Standard
Maximum height/limits: None


Owners’ requirements
Basement and floors: Due to the slope, there will be a basement with two large rooms on the north side, each with a large window
Number and age of occupants: 4 people, ages 44, 42, 13, and 14
Conservative construction method
Open kitchen
Seating for 6-8 at the dining table
No fireplace
Music/sound system wall, large TV on sideboard or mounted on the wall

House design
Designed by: Self-designed
Preferred heating system: District heating, 100% renewable

Level access from the garage is explicitly desired, and all necessary rooms (bedroom, bathroom, office) should be on the ground floor level. The children will have large rooms with proper windows (no light wells) and a shared bathroom in the basement on the north side.

An upper floor is probably excluded due to cost constraints. The north-facing slope is a given, with about a 2m (6.6 ft) height difference across the entire plot; inside the house, it is about 1m (3.3 ft). The terrain on the north side will be adjusted accordingly. Slight deviations from the building envelope will likely be tolerated.


I have been working on this for a while but still can’t decide whether the living room and terrace should face the south or the west side of the house.


If the terrace is on the west side, it will get sun at noon and in the evening, but the "best side" of the house will not be very visible from the street. I am also unsure if the living room suits the west side.


What is your opinion, or what would you change and why?


All plans are oriented to true north; my own sketches are slightly rotated because I cannot draw otherwise.

Thank you very much.

Regards, Ralf