The courtyard with two different privacy problems
Do not let one good July afternoon approve a permanent object.
This is the annual vote. The same proposed screen, awning, pergola, move or planting change is held fixed while the engine re-runs the property in winter, spring, summer and autumn.
The hour is intentionally held constant. This isolates seasonal geometry instead of letting a different clock time flatter the proposal.
The year, in one line
Everything below is about a change. Before that, it is worth knowing what the place already does — the hours it is open, month by month, on one page you can put on a fridge.
Before a permanent change gets to win
Make January, April, July and October vote on it.
These are the exact same proposed objects re-run through the engine in four seasons. A summer fix that steals winter sun cannot hide inside one July score.
| Change | Jan | Apr | Jul | Oct | Average | Year verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A 6.8 ft screen 9.1 ft from the seat It earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 42→42 | +8 92→100 | +2 40→42 | +8 92→100 | +5 | seasonal |
| A tree between the seat and East upstairs window It earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 42→42 | +8 92→100 | +2 40→42 | +8 92→100 | +5 | seasonal |
| A 9.8 ft umbrella This is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 1 season and hurts in 1. | +0 42→42 | -7 92→85 | +34 40→74 | +0 92→92 | +7 | tradeoff |
| An evergreen hedge to about 6.6 ft The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year. | +0 42→42 | +0 92→92 | +0 40→40 | +0 92→92 | +0 | weak |
| A deciduous tree 23 ft west of the seat The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year. | +0 42→42 | +0 92→92 | +0 40→40 | +0 92→92 | +0 | weak |
| A 6.9 ft panel to the west The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year. | +0 42→42 | -3 92→89 | +0 40→40 | +0 92→92 | -1 | weak |
What changes by season
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: works 92 → works 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 40 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: works 92 → works 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: works 92 → works 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 40 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: works 92 → works 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: works 92 → works 85; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading -93.
July: no 40 → tight 74; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading -93.
October: works 92 → works 92; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: works 92 → works 92; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -82.
July: no 40 → no 40; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: works 92 → works 92; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -82.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: works 92 → works 92; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -20.
July: no 40 → no 40; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading -75.
October: works 92 → works 92; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: works 92 → works 89; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 40 → no 40; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: works 92 → works 92; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -92.
Annual shortlist
6 exact proposals re-testedA 6.8 ft screen 9.1 ft from the seat
seasonalIt earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +8; worst +0; four-season average +5.
A tree between the seat and East upstairs window
seasonalIt earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +8; worst +0; four-season average +5.
A 9.8 ft umbrella
tradeoffThis is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 1 season and hurts in 1.
Best seasonal delta +34; worst -7; four-season average +7.
An evergreen hedge to about 6.6 ft
weakThe same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.
A deciduous tree 23 ft west of the seat
weakThe same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.
A 6.9 ft panel to the west
weakThe same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
Best seasonal delta +0; worst -3; four-season average -1.