The west patio that cooks at five
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 7.1 ft screen 10.7 ft from the seat It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 44→44 | +55 45→100 | +10 34→44 | +13 34→47 | +20 | seasonal |
| An evergreen hedge to about 7 ft It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 44→44 | +55 45→100 | +10 34→44 | +13 34→47 | +20 | seasonal |
| A tree between the seat and Neighbour's upstairs window It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 44→44 | +13 45→58 | +10 34→44 | +11 34→45 | +9 | seasonal |
| Move the table 6.6 ft east The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year. | +0 44→44 | +0 45→45 | +0 34→34 | +6 34→40 | +2 | weak |
| Two 8.2 ft parasols instead of one The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year. | +0 44→44 | +0 45→45 | +0 34→34 | +0 34→34 | +0 | weak |
| Change Back door light to a warmer lamp The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year. | +0 44→44 | +0 45→45 | +0 34→34 | +0 34→34 | +0 | weak |
What changes by season
January: no 44 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 45 → works 100; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 34 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 34 → no 47; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 44 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 45 → works 100; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 34 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 34 → no 47; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 44 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 45 → tight 58; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 34 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 34 → no 45; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 44 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 45 → no 45; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -9.
July: no 34 → no 34; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 34 → no 40; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -30.
January: no 44 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 45 → no 45; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 34 → no 34; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 34 → no 34; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 44 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 45 → no 45; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 34 → no 34; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 34 → no 34; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
Annual shortlist
6 exact proposals re-testedA 7.1 ft screen 10.7 ft from the seat
seasonalIt earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +55; worst +0; four-season average +20.
An evergreen hedge to about 7 ft
seasonalIt earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +55; worst +0; four-season average +20.
A tree between the seat and Neighbour's upstairs window
seasonalIt earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +13; worst +0; four-season average +9.
Move the table 6.6 ft east
weakThe same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
Best seasonal delta +6; worst +0; four-season average +2.
Two 8.2 ft parasols instead of one
weakThe same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.
Change Back door light to a warmer lamp
weakThe same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.