Sunspot: How to position your new build
14 January 2026

When it comes to putting a new build on site, orienting your building to make the most of the sun is one of the cheapest ways to boost comfort and cut running costs for your clients.

It also makes a big difference between a development that looks well-planned for modern lifestyles, and something that seems lower-quality and not so liveable. One New Zealand study found each additional hour of direct sunlight a house gets per day adds 2.4% to its market value.

So, here’s a simple checklist to help maximise light, heat and value in your build.

1. Follow the sun

Try to choose a location and orientation with the fewest obstructions to the north, which has the most sunlight. BRANZ says a site should ideally have good solar access for at least 75 per cent of the daily sunshine hours for its location. That makes buildings easier and cheaper to warm in winter, and brighter in summer.

It’s key to understand the specific micro-climate of your site, so the building can benefit from air cooling in summer, while being protected from prevailing winds in winter. Computer modelling helps. NIWA (now known as Earth Sciences NZ) has an online tool called Solarview that allows you to test sun paths for any particular location. By uploading your plan and site map to the web tool SketchUp, you can also identify how trees, neighbouring buildings and other features will shade your building.

2. Get the light right

A rectangle design running west–east (with the long face to the north) will help single-storey buildings capture more sun. For two-storey buildings, compact “boxy” forms reduce exposed area and heat loss. Living spaces should go on the north side, with the largest or greatest number of windows. Put smaller windows on the south side, to reduce heat loss – perfect for bathrooms and laundries.

If you don’t have the option of making the build run west-east, especially on a narrower site, keep window areas smaller and consider skylights or clerestory windows to pull light in, while retaining warmth. Use higher-performing frames and glazing when you can.

3. Shade smart

If your living spaces have large windows facing west, you’ll need shading to reduce the blazing afternoon sun. The Level website recommends various options, from making eaves the correct size to having adjustable screens, louvres or shutters on eastern and western facades.

4. It’s healthy to vent

Good ventilation design is also essential. Overheating is an increasing problem in Kiwi homes. BRANZ recommends passive stack ventilation, a vertical or near-vertical duct that allows warm air to rise and exit through a vent in the roof. For natural ventilation, the long façade of your building should face the prevailing wind, so doors and windows can let the heat out.

For more on positioning homes for sun, visit Building.govt.nz or the BRANZ website.