Earth walls do two jobs here: they keep the cool of the night, and they throw shade. On 14 May 2027 the sun rises at 06:34 and sets at 20:16, and the courtyard walls of the Courtyard Villa stand 4.2 m high.
At 09:00, 93% of the courtyard floor is in shade. At noon the sun is high and only 31% is shaded, so the arcade and the plunge pool do the work. At 15:00 it is 32%, and by 18:00 the whole floor is in shade again.
Sunset House is built for the evening instead: its roof terrace has a 1.1 m parapet and stays in the light until late. The walled garden of Earth Studio, with 3.0 m walls, sits in between.
Sun positions: US Naval Observatory. Geometric shadow only.
