Orientation
Orientation & inward-facing plans
Born in Universal vernacular logic.
How it works
Turning the long axis and main openings away from the harshest sun and toward the prevailing breeze, and facing rooms inward to a protected court, minimises heat gain on living spaces, the highest-leverage free move in any climate.
In a modern home
The climate-rational core of Vastu's directions: orient living spaces and glazing by sun path and wind, not by ritual alone.
What it answers
Source
Baruch Givoni, Man, Climate and Architecture (1969): orientation by sun and wind as the first bioclimatic move.
Follow the threads
Overhanging balcony & deep verandahshares overheating, west wall heat, block & filter the sun→Projecting eave / sunshadeshares overheating, west wall heat, block & filter the sun→Courtyard stack ventilationshares poor ventilation, overheating, breath→The courtyard houseshares overheating, poor ventilation, cool→Windcatchershares poor ventilation, overheating, breath→Earth-cooled basement roomshares overheating, west wall heat, cool→