Optimum Orientation of Residential Buildings considering Solar Radiation and Wind Direction

Taking into account the energy efficiency and architectural criteria and regulations in buildings orientation leads to optimized energy consumption. Building orientation is important in the influencing peripheral conditions of internal spaces. It can also meet design demands and building thermal requirements. In addition, the optimum orientation of buildings depends on different factors such as land natural condition, the quantity of private spaces, noise control as well as wind direction and solar radiation. In this paper, the two latter factors are investigated in detail. Using graph method, the optimum orientation regarding solar radiation is determined; that is, to take advantage of solar radiation in cold seasons, while avoiding its direct penetration into the building in warm seasons. Moreover, dominant wind directions are determined by using region’s windroses. The obtained results revealed that the optimum orientation of buildings with regard to climatic elements such as solar radiation and wind direction for optimized energy consumption in Rasht City, Guilan Province, Iran is obtained to be 15 degree Westward.