APPENDIX 3 – PASSIVE AND ACTIVE ENERGY DEMAND REDUCTION Spatial and Plot Design for Energy Reduction The principles of reducing energy consumption at the NS&OC has been considered within the spatial design and the place making of the development. The following design features have been considered where possible at NS&OC and taken forward at further design detail.
Solar Management through Orientation Passive solar energy gains of properties can be enhanced through careful orientation. The main glazed axis (and preferably the primary façade) should be oriented within a 300 of the south to obtain maximum daylight. Solar orientation of the buildings on a site wide basis will also allow roof pitches to accommodate solar powered renewable energy technologies. In order to allow buildings within the development to have a preferential solar orientation final road alignments should be on an east to west axis where possible. This though needs to be managed in line with, for example the place making agenda for NS&OC. Where road alignment does not allow a building to have a preferential solar orientation, alternative roof pitches could be considered to allow access to the south.
Ambient Summer Cooling The predominant summer wind flow at NS&OC is from the south west. The design of the main thoroughfare running to the district centre from the south west to north east of the site will allow a clear flow of air movement into the heart of the development. This “wind artery” will be utilised to draw the natural summer breeze through the streets of the development. Plots design should consider vehicles to be parked on the north side of properties where possible. This will allow natural shading from properties over the car parking facilities or spaces reducing the impact of heat within cars in summer. In turn this reduces the requirements of energy intensive air conditioning of vehicles.
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