The balcony nobody uses

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.

Same geometry · four seasons
ChangeJanAprJulOctAverageYear verdict
A second seat 19.7 ft south
This is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 2 seasons and hurts in 1.
+22
6991
+0
3838
-5
4237
+5
4449
+6tradeoff
Move the table 6.6 ft east
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
6969
+0
3838
+0
4242
+0
4444
+0weak
Two 8.2 ft parasols instead of one
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
6969
+0
3838
+0
4242
+0
4444
+0weak
A 9.8 ft umbrella
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
6969
+0
3838
+0
4242
+0
4444
+0weak
Two low shielded lights instead of one high one
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
6969
+0
3838
+0
4242
+0
4444
+0weak
A short return panel on the north-west corner
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
6969
+0
3838
+0
4242
+0
4444
+0weak
What changes by season
A second seat 19.7 ft south

January: tight 69works 91; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.

April: no 38no 38; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.

July: no 42no 37; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -100.

October: no 44no 49; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.

Move the table 6.6 ft east

January: tight 69tight 69; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

April: no 38no 38; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

July: no 42no 42; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

October: no 44no 44; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

Two 8.2 ft parasols instead of one

January: tight 69tight 69; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

April: no 38no 38; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

July: no 42no 42; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

October: no 44no 44; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

A 9.8 ft umbrella

January: tight 69tight 69; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

April: no 38no 38; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

July: no 42no 42; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

October: no 44no 44; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

Two low shielded lights instead of one high one

January: tight 69tight 69; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

April: no 38no 38; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

July: no 42no 42; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

October: no 44no 44; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

A short return panel on the north-west corner

January: tight 69tight 69; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

April: no 38no 38; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

July: no 42no 42; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

October: no 44no 44; after the change the controlling issue is wind; direct-sun reading +0.

Annual shortlist

6 exact proposals re-tested

A second seat 19.7 ft south

tradeoff

This is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 2 seasons and hurts in 1.

Best seasonal delta +22; worst -5; four-season average +6.

Move the table 6.6 ft east

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.

Two 8.2 ft parasols instead of one

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.

A 9.8 ft umbrella

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.

Two low shielded lights instead of one high one

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.

A short return panel on the north-west corner

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +0; worst +0; four-season average +0.