MDC Design Studio

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗧. 🧭

𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 approach analyzes sun, wind, and site conditions to create a naturally cool, energy-efficient home.

Here are some methods the Architect uses in preparation for the 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞.

🌞 1️⃣. 𝙎𝙪𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙨 (Solar Orientation)
The curved arc above the house represents the sun’s movement throughout the year (e.g., June, March, September, December).

● The house is oriented to control direct sunlight, especially harsh afternoon sun.
● Roof overhangs and shading devices block high-angle summer sun but allow softer light inside.
● Large openings are placed where sunlight is less intense or more beneficial.
👉 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 = 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀.

🌄 2️⃣. 𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙑𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨 & 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙙
● The house opens toward cooler breezes and scenic views.
● It turns away from harsh sun and strong heat exposure.
👉 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 + 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.

🌬️ 3️⃣. 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙑𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙮
The section (below) shows airflow moving through the house.

● Openings on opposite sides create cross-ventilation.
● Use of high-level windows / clerestory openings lets hot air rise and escape (stack effect).
● Large doors and windows to maximize airflow.
👉 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆.

🌿 4️⃣. 𝙎𝙞𝙩𝙚 & 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
The house is embedded into a sloped, vegetated site.
● Trees and vegetation act as natural shading devices.
● Landscaping cools surrounding air before it enters the house.
👉 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.

🏠 5️⃣. 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 (Vertical Cooling)
The sectional cut reveals how spaces are arranged vertically.

● Living spaces are placed where ventilation and views are best.
● Double-height or open spaces allow heat to rise upward and escape.
● Lower levels are cooler due to earth contact and shading.
👉 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲.

The Architect studies the lot by combining:
● Sun path (solar geometry)
● Prevailing wind direction
● Topography (slope)
● Vegetation
● Material behavior

All these factors inform the building’s:
● Orientation
● Openings
● Section
● Envelope

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✅ 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘
The house achieves:

1. Passive cooling (less reliance on air-conditioning)
2. Daylighting without overheating
3. Strong indoor-outdoor connection
4. Climate-responsive architecture

By: MDC Design Studio




Image: https://www.dezeen.com/2017/04/30/studio-bergtraun-perches-black-alpine-meadow-cabin-steep-slope-sierra-nevada-mountains-california/?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic