What is a dual aspect flat?
May 9th, 2011
A dual aspect flat is an apartment that has windows on two or more sides. Most commonly these days they make an appearance as the corner flats in a block of single aspect flats, and have a view in two direction at 90° to each other. The flat may be ventilated by opening the furthest windows on each side but is in my view inferior to a flat having windows on opposite sides of the dwelling allowing full ventilation of the space when needed and a view in two opposite directions, allowing full use of the sunlight throughout the day.
For example in a block of flats orientated North or South with the windows facing East or West, containing only dual aspect flats one has the choice of morning sun in the bedrooms and setting in the living room or vice versa. With a corner dual aspect flat one is more limited and during a hot summer can less easily move to a cooler room.
From the Interim London Housing Design Guide:-
5.2 Dual aspect
Providing a home with two aspects can have many benefits: better daylight, cross ventilation, a choice of views, access to a quiet side of the building, and greater flexibility in the use of rooms and the potential for future adaptability to re-arrange rooms within the home. Dual aspect design should be the default.
A dual aspect dwelling is defined as one with openable windows on two external walls, which may be opposite or adjacent around a corner. One aspect may be towards an external access deck, courtyard, or ventilated atrium.
Single aspect flats are difficult to naturally ventilate and more likely to overheat, an increasing concern for homes in London due to anticipated temperature increases from climate change coupled with the urban heat island effect where London is inherently warmer than its surrounding areas. Single aspect flats will only be permitted where the design is shown to allow adequate daylight and ventilation to all habitable rooms.
Further reading:-
Zeilenbau orientation and Heliotropic housing