Well, I found an architect online that is based in Connecticut AND South Carolina, and he said on his website that he gives free advice to folks working on floorplans, and only charges when he actually works on the plans and gives a product back to the client. He also said he takes passive solar design into account in his plans.
So I emailed him with links to the graphics included in this post, asking his opinion on our house placement, solar gain potential based on true south, and the general design of the house.
For your own edification, the second floor hallway that is open to the two-story foyer will have those clerestory windows allowing ample ventilation and TONS of natural daylight into the hallway and especially into the foyer. Hopefully, Solatubes will be used for natural daylighting in the upstairs walk-in closets and the two upstairs bathrooms.
That architect’s offer sounds generous! I like the idea of using clerestory windows. Although the picture you posted looks a bit like an ag bldg, those windows usually break up the roof line in a nice way and give the house a contemporary look, in addition to being practical (the key to all good design…”form follows function”). I think you’ll be ready to sit for your architect’s license after this is done. 😀