A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams

by Michael Pollan

Buildings should be laid out on an east-west axis, with their principle exposure to the south.

This means that in the Northern Hemisphere the low angle of the sun in winter will keep the building warm, while during the summer, when the sun passes overhead, direct sunlight will enter only in the morning and evening, when it will be welcome. For the same reason, he recommended an eastern exposure for bedrooms, western for dining rooms.