My house plans are custom designed for each site that we are building on in order to take advantage of the sun’s heat and light the houses need to be oriented to the south. When Don and I are looking for a lot to build a spec or a custom home on, we are looking for a lot where I can orient the house’s living spaces to the south, to take advantage of all that free energy!

Ideally, a house site has a good view and privacy to the south. Abutting a provincially owned woodland is a very nice bonus but these building lots are getting hard to find.

I often design a house’s living space with large glass doors and windows facing the south, to let in as much light and sun heat as I can. To the north, garages,bedrooms and rooms that are not used as much. East, the kitchen to catch the morning light, and the screened porch or “cocktail deck” to the West. I always try to account for a covered deck that can be screened in by the homeowners if they want, providing a lovely, cool, and bug free environment in the hot summer months. I like putting lots of decking around my homes to create outdoor spaces around the house. This is nice as you can utilize different areas to get in or out of the sun or breeze. Many people love a large covered entry deck to “watch the world go by”.

I make sure that the overhangs of the home’s roof are at the optimal angle and width to bring light and heat IN during the winter, and keep it OUT during the hot summer. I have a computer program that helps me with this, and paying attention to this is really crucial in making sure the homes I design are cool in the summer and warm in the winter, just the way clients need them to be!

Look at the big south facing doors in this beautiful room- and the lovely view outside! That’s what I am aiming for!