We drew 60 plans for plots like this. See all front-open plans, or tick "Front open only" in the plan filters.
How the plans handle it
- Rear open space. A 4–10 ft open strip at the back of your plot, open to the sky. The rear bedroom and its toilet get windows onto it.
- Middle court or OTS. An open-to-sky court or light shaft (OTS) in the middle of the house lights the kitchen, dining and the rooms around it.
- Front rooms (living room, front bedroom) get their windows on the road side, over the sitout, porch or parking.
- Air path. Cool air comes in at the front, crosses the house and leaves through the courts. The stair works like a chimney: warm air rises and escapes through the stair cabin on the terrace, so keep a high window or vent there.
- Toilets always touch a court, shaft or the rear open space for a ventilator window. None rely on an exhaust fan alone.
- Every room checked. Each bedroom, living room, kitchen, office and toilet in these plans faces open air. No window is drawn on a wall shared with a neighbour.
Good sizes
| Element | Minimum | Better | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear open space | 4 ft deep | 6–10 ft | Keep it open to the sky on all floors |
| OTS / light shaft | 5 × 5 ft | 6 × 8 ft | Lighter walls and a grill on top let rain drain and air flow |
| Central courtyard | 8 × 8 ft | 10 × 12 ft | Brings daylight to the ground floor on two-storey houses |
| Window area | 1/10 of floor | 1/8 of floor | At least half of it should open |
| Toilet ventilator | 1.5 × 1.5 ft | 2 × 2 ft | High up, opening onto a court or shaft |
Tips
- Ask the neighbour about their plans before you build. If they leave a rear space too, both houses get more air.
- Use jaali (perforated) blocks or louvres at the top of the stair and on the parapet facing courts to keep air moving without losing privacy.
- Paint court walls white or light colours; they bounce daylight deep into the house.
- Cover courts with a fixed grill or polycarbonate on stilts, never a solid roof, or they stop working.
Local bylaws often set a minimum size for shafts and rear open space. Check with your architect before finalising.