Passive Solar Design for Surf Coast Homes: A Local Advantage

Building Smarter With Sunshine, Shade and Site-Specific Thinking

If you’re planning to build on the Surf Coast, there’s one design principle you absolutely want on your side: passive solar design. It’s not about adding expensive technology or futuristic gadgets. It’s about working with nature to create a home that’s naturally warm in winter, cool in summer and filled with beautiful light all year round.

At Zelena Homes, passive solar design is something we consider from the very first sketch. Because in places like Torquay, the climate can work for you when your home is thoughtfully designed to respond to it.

What Is Passive Solar Design?

Passive solar design uses the sun’s natural energy to help regulate your home’s temperature. It’s called “passive” because it doesn’t rely on machines to do the work. Instead, it uses smart orientation, materials and window placement to keep your home comfortable all year round.

It’s simple. It’s sustainable. And it’s incredibly effective, especially when paired with other energy-smart features like insulation and airtight construction.

Why It Works So Well on the Surf Coast

The Surf Coast offers a mild climate with sunny days, cool breezes and the occasional storm front. Passive solar design helps you make the most of this environment while protecting you from its extremes.

Here’s how it benefits your home:

• In winter, it captures low northern sun to gently warm your living spaces

• In summer, it blocks harsh overhead sun to keep interiors cool

• All year, it uses thermal mass and cross ventilation to maintain steady, natural comfort

The result is a home that’s easy to live in, energy efficient and quietly aligned with its surroundings.

Key Elements We Consider in Every Surf Coast Build

1. Orientation
We begin by carefully analysing your site. The aim is to position your main living areas like your kitchen, dining and lounge to face north. This lets in the winter sun and helps control summer heat.

We also take into account block shape, slope, nearby trees and buildings that may affect sun angles throughout the day.

2. Window Placement and Glazing
Windows are your home’s solar collectors. On the north side, we often include larger panes to bring in light and warmth. On the east and west, we keep them smaller or shaded to avoid overheating.

Double or triple glazing keeps warmth in during winter and reduces heat gain in summer, helping to keep your home comfortable and quiet.

3. Thermal Mass
Surfaces like concrete or brick absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. A polished concrete floor in your living room is a great example. It adds comfort, reduces temperature swings and brings a grounded, natural texture to the space.

4. Eaves and Shading
Eaves are designed to block summer sun but allow the winter sun in. We also look at pergolas, deciduous trees and adjustable shading systems to suit different seasons.

Even small changes in shading can significantly improve comfort and reduce energy use.

5. Cross Ventilation
Cool air movement is just as important as warmth. By placing windows and doors strategically, we allow fresh air to flow through the home, especially on summer nights. This helps you rely less on air conditioning and creates a breezy, open atmosphere.

A Surf Coast Sanctuary

One family in Torquay asked us to design their home with passive solar principles from the start. We positioned the house to face north, used wide eaves, added thermally broken windows and included a polished concrete slab in the living area.

The result was a home that rarely needs artificial heating or cooling. As they put it, “We didn’t realise how much difference good design could make. The house just feels right.”

It's More Than Design. It's a Lifestyle Shift.

A home designed for the sun doesn’t just save you money. It helps you feel more connected to your environment.

You start noticing how the light changes through the seasons. You feel more grounded. And you enjoy living in a space that feels effortless and natural.

For us at Zelena Homes, that’s what true sustainability is about. Simple. Supportive. Beautifully balanced.

Planning a home on the Surf Coast?

Let’s talk about how we can bring passive solar design into your build. At Zelena Homes, we’ll guide you through every step, from sun angles to window placement to creating a home that feels just right, inside and out.