Think Like an Architect: Know Your Homesite To Get a Fantastic Design
Terrific home designs always have two things in common: They reflect the lives of the inhabitants, and they relate to, or are extensions, the environment in which they are built.
The very first step to a great design is knowing the site of the home. Where is the best place for your house? Which site features do you need to highlight? How do you take advantage of views? And what do you need to attempt to avoid? In this ideabook that I will attempt to help you realize the dos and don’ts of site design and clarify a few normal phrases architect typically use.
Wagner Hodgson
The very important first step to good design is to do what in architecture lingo is referred to as a site investigation — an assessment of how the existing structure or new construct relates or will relate to its unique existing ecological problems. These conditions include topography, access, solar and wind orientation, perspectives, existing trees or streams, and neighboring properties.
The site or building site is the geographical location of your premises. Some websites may be as simple as a rectangle, while others can have many complex real estate lines, requiring a survey map for you to know where the property begins and ends.
Carolyn Chadwick
Topography refers to the exterior shape and characteristics of your premises. Is your site sloped, stepped or flat? Are there any massive boulders or rock croppings? Is there a? Many websites have a blend of topographical elements. Selecting where to find your house in relation to such elements can make a big difference in the construction cost of your home. While finding your house on a rocky incline might create a stunning setting and take whole advantage of sweeping views, the foundation design will be extremely expensive. (Here’s a cost-saving hint: Prevent large retaining walls.)
THOMAS KYLE: Landscape Designer
Accessibility is how you get to your house from the nearest road. If your property is on an ordinary city street, this can be pretty simple, and there are not a great deal of options. On larger rural properties nevertheless, the space your house is in the nearest street can make a huge impact in the construction cost.
Perello Building Corporation
One access consideration is the length of the driveway, which is frequently ordered from the fire department, which demands a minimum width, turnouts for fire trucks and a turnaround at the end. Utilities are another aspect. If your driveway is a half mile, you most likely will need to pay to have electrical, plumbing, gas, cable and water lines run space as well. There is nothing like having a personal refuge with nothing around but nature: simply be certain that you don’t miss the less obvious but significant consideration of access.
Mark pinkerton – vi360 photography
Views can make stunning backdrops for a home — always take advantage of proper views. And know that the success of your project will depend not just on utilizing lovely vistas, but on obstructing and preventing unpleasant ones. Appropriate site design takes under consideration the neighboring property conditions and should provide privacy, safety and a feeling of independence for your home.
David Johnston Architects
If you’re lucky enough to have a site with an existing flow or group of trees, be aware of them, since they are great design elements and add a feeling of character and dynamism to any landscape. Development around trees, creeks or streams is highly regulated in some jurisdictions.
If you’re seeking to purchase a property which has a large dry creek running through it, bear in mind that there might be setbacks required, significantly decreasing the buildable area of your premises.
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
Recognizing your homesite, and properly locating and orienting your building, is the first step to good design.
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