# EXPLORE - Consider your environment

Click on the tabs below to complete the two tasks: Australian house design and Energy wise spaces.

- Australian house design
- Energy wise spaces

Architects design and create buildings to suit the local environment.

Match the images

in this document to their description and environmental conditions. Consider what the architect wanted to achieve and how well the design has worked. Extend your understanding of housing styles by completing the extension activity below.

Text version

Extension: Find images of three traditional houses in other places, both in Australia and beyond. Open these images in your favourite graphics program and add text to identify three features of each house that respond to the local environment and climate.

Passive solar design refers to the controlled use of the sun’s energy for the heating and cooling of spaces. This reduces the reliance on electricity.

- Read through the Australian Government-Your Home guide to Passive Solar Heating. Discuss in pairs how your school is fits the solar passive model.

- Learn about the features of environmentally sustainable building.

- Choose one of the spaces you studied in your school safari. Suggest how passive solar design could apply to each element in the list below. Attach your suggestions to your site plan.

List of design elements

1. Orientation – location or position in relation to the points on the compass

2. Window – an opening in a wall or roof to let in light and/or air

3. Shading – sheltering from the sun’s light and/or heat

4. Ventilation – intentional movement of air from outside to inside a building

5. Insulation – material or substance which lessens the flow of heat

6. Landscaping – changing an area of land using plants, trees, ornaments, structures and so on.