Art Deco house designs are one of the most iconic house designs in the world. These distinctive, modern homes feature strong lines, geometric shapes, and clean designs. They were especially popular in the 1920s and 30s, and modern Art Deco houses are still popular today. The challenge, however, is ensuring that the house design remains naturally ventilated. Orientation is the key to success—by understanding a few basics of residential house design and the principles of natural ventilation, designers can create Art Deco house designs that remain effectively ventilated without the use of air conditioning. The best way to achieve good natural ventilation in an Art Deco house is to take advantage of the prevailing wind direction and prevailing air currents in the area. Using prevailing wind direction and air currents, designers can create verandas and doorways that open up into the prevailing wind. This not only provides effective airflow, but also keeps the house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Another important element of naturally ventilated Art Deco house designs is the orientation of windows and ventilators. Windows and ventilators should be placed on the prevailing wind side of the house so that there is an adequate amount of airflow into the home. This strategy also has the added advantage of allowing light into the home during the day, making the home appear lighter and airier.Orientation Strategies for Naturally Ventilated Houses
Solar heat gain through windows, walls, and other surfaces is an important factor to consider when designing an Art Deco house that is naturally ventilated. Through careful design, designers can use the sun’s energy to naturally heat the home without needing to rely on energy-expensive appliances like air conditioners. In an Art Deco house, the best way to achieve this is to orient the house around the sun’s position in the sky and make sure windows are placed in areas that receive direct sunlight. Another design strategy for passively solar-heated homes is to provide ample insulation around the home. Insulating materials are available in a wide range of materials, each with its own unique advantages. The right insulation material can help to protect the home from heat loss and maintain an ideal temperature year-round. In addition to good insulation, designers should ensure that the overall design of the house maximizes sunlight exposure. A single, large window facing the sun can provide even more heat gain than several smaller windows, and the overall shape of the house should take into account how much light it will be exposed to throughout the day.Passive Solar Design Strategies for Naturally Ventilated Houses
Cross ventilation is a great way to keep an Art Deco house naturally ventilated without reliance on air conditioning. Cross ventilation is achieved by placing windows or ventilators on two sides of the house, so that air can flow freely between the two sides and ensure adequate airflow throughout the home. By orienting the house in such a way that one side is exposed to direct sunlight and the other to indirect sunlight, or by creating an air-breaker between two sides, designers can create an effective cross-ventilation system. Another key design strategy when considering cross ventilation in an Art Deco house is to make sure the windows open in the direction of the prevailing wind. This ensures that the air drawn in from one side of the house is strong enough to push the air out from the other side. The direction of the windows should also be considered; windows should be placed away from the sun in order to minimize direct solar gain.Design Strategies for Cross Ventilation in Houses
Designing an Art Deco house that is energy-efficient and naturally ventilated is not easy. Firstly, designers must take into account the size, shape, and position of the house, as well as the prevailing wind direction and air currents in the area. Energy-efficient features to consider include the orientation of the house, the use of insulation materials, and the placement of windows, doors, and ventilators. In terms of orientation, it is important to ensure that the house is orientated so that it receives direct sunlight during the day and indirect sunlight at night, if possible. This will minimize the amount of energy the home requires to keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Similarly, designers should ensure that windows and ventilators are placed on the side of the house that receives the prevailing wind to maximize the amount of natural airflow. Finally, designers should also consider the use of insulation materials. Insulation materials can be used to reduce the amount of heat loss through the walls and windows of the home. As well as ensuring great natural ventilation, insulation prevents energy loss and reduces the need for air conditioning.Energy-Efficient Designs for Naturally Ventilated Houses
Creating good airflow in an Art Deco house is one of the keys to successful natural ventilation. Poorly positioned windows and ventilators can create turbulence and cause stagnant airflow, while correctly positioned windows and ventilators allow air to move freely throughout the house. With the right understanding and placement of windows and ventilators, designers can maximize the natural ventilation of their Art Deco house. The most important consideration in creating good airflow in an Art Deco house is the direction of the windows and ventilators. It is important to ensure that the windows and ventilators open in the direction of the prevailing wind. This ensures that air drawn from one side of the house is then pushed out from the other. This strategy not only increases natural ventilation, but also ensures the air is circulated throughout the house. Also, the placement of windows and ventilators should be considered. Windows should be placed in areas that receive direct sunlight in order to increase natural heating, while ventilators should be placed opposite to the windows so that the airflow is not hindered by direct sunlight. Additionally, doorways should be placed in areas exposed to the prevailing wind.Airflow Solutions for Naturally Ventilated Houses
Green roofs are an excellent way to improve the natural ventilation of an Art Deco house. By installing a green roof on the home, designers can take advantage of the natural cooling effect of plants and vegetation. The plants on the roof act as a natural heat sink and absorb heat from the sun during the day, keeping the house cool and naturally ventilated during the night and preventing heat from entering the house during the day. This works effectively when the roof is orientated so that it receives direct sunlight in the morning and indirect sunlight throughout the day. This ensures that the roof is able to absorb heat and keep the house cooler during the day and ventilated naturally during the night. The best way to do this is to use a venting system, which can be manually activated when the roof is exposed to direct sunlight and vent heat away from the house. Additionally, the use of reflective materials on the roof will also help to minimize solar gain.Green Roofs in Naturally Ventilated House Designs
Natural lighting is an important consideration when designing Art Deco houses that are naturally ventilated. Natural lighting not only helps to reduce the amount of electricity needed to light a house, but can also provide additional airflow when placed strategically. The best way to take advantage of natural lighting is to use windows and ventilators that face the prevailing wind, as this ensures that air is moved naturally throughout the home. Natural lighting can also be maximized through careful design. It is important to consider the orientation of the room in relation to the sun, as well as the size and number of windows. For example, large windows should be placed on one side of the room and should face in the direction of the prevailing wind. This allows for ample natural light to enter the room during the day, as well as excellent natural ventilation.Natural Lighting Strategies for Naturally Ventilated Houses
Shading also plays an important role in natural ventilation. Shading can reduce the amount of solar gain the house receives, which helps keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Every Art Deco house should be properly shaded from the sun in order to optimize natural ventilation. This can be achieved through carefully designed overhangs and eaves, or through the use of exterior shutters that can be opened during the day and closed at night. As well as providing excellent shading, exterior shutters can also be used to regulate the airflow in the house. When the shutters are open, air can move freely through the home, but when they are closed the house is kept warmer and more sheltered.Designing Shading for Naturally Ventilated Houses
Ventilation can be an issue for Art Deco houses that are located in mid-climate regions. Mid-climate regions tend to be colder in winter and hotter in summer than other climates, making it more difficult to keep the house naturally ventilated. One way to ensure natural ventilation in an Art Deco house in a mid-climate region is to use an onboard ventilation system. Onboard ventilation systems are installed within the roof or walls of the home, creating a dedicated pathway for the air to flow between the inside and outside of the house. This system is more efficient than natural ventilation, as it allows for a constant air flow. These systems also work well with other energy-efficient strategies, such as high-efficiency insulation materials, which help to regulate the temperature of the house.Ventilation Strategies for Mid-Climate Houses
Verandas can be a great way to increase the natural ventilation of an Art Deco house. By providing an entryway to the prevailing wind, designers can create an effective ventilation system just by adding a veranda to the home. Careful placement of the veranda is key to success, however; the veranda should be orientated so that the wind passes directly through the doorway. These types of verandas are best designed using two entryways; one door should open inward, while the other should open outward. This ensures that the wind flows naturally through the veranda. When designing the veranda, designers should also think carefully about the orientation of the doorways; they should be placed to minimize solar gain but still take advantage of the prevailing wind direction.Designing a Veranda for Naturally Ventilated Houses
Designers of naturally ventilated Art Deco houses should also consider the use of zoned natural ventilation systems. These systems require careful planning and design, but can be extremely beneficial. Zoned systems involve breaking the home into areas based on natural ventilation needs. For example, a two-bedroom house can be divided into two zones, one for each bedroom, with the zones connected by air transfer openings. These openings should be placed so that air from the bedroom with greater air flow flow can move into the room with less air flow. This ensures that air is evenly distributed throughout the house while maximizing natural ventilation. This is especially important for Art Deco houses, as they often feature small, enclosed spaces that can be difficult to ventilate.Design Features for Zoned Natural Ventilation Systems